Prof Kua Ee Heok authored a book entitled An Undefeated Mind, and he gifted me a copy in 2005. The story details the working life of a psychiatrist looking after patients in a mental institution. I love the title of this book, because it depicts mental resilience in this very challenging world.
Prof Kua generously gave his permission for a Juke-Box Musical to use this title. This musical depicts how living well with dementia is possible. As this musical had only one showing on 11 March 2022, this blogpost is not a spoiler alert.
Storyline
A beautiful young girl named Rose celebrates her birthday and meets a young man whom she marries. Fast forward 50 years. Rose is now a demented old lady who fails to recognize people around her, misplaces her precious Bengawan Solo kueh lapis box which houses reminders of her life, and accuses others of stealing it, etc. She is quarrelsome and difficult to live with and her soon-to-be son- in-law wants her placed in a nursing home. The story details how the family learns how to cope with her failing memory so that her son-in-law accepts that Rose should continue to live with the family. A simple story, not unfamiliar to many.
Takeaway message
Ultimately, the most important takeaway is that the true meaning of love is being there for your loved ones.
Cast
It is the excellent cast (comprising both professionals and amateurs), direction , production, and the multiple practices that ensured perfection at “showtime”. The choice of songs also brought back fond memories for the audience.
Mind Science Centre (MSC)
This musical was produced to be a fundraiser for the Wee Sin Tho Memorial Fund, which supports the continuing mission of the Mind Science Centre. The MSC takes an upstream and evidence based approach to optimize cognitive performance, build emotional resilience and promote mental well-being through translational research and community based interventions. Ultimately its mission is to nurture an undefeated mind and build resilience across all ages. In short, with little fanfare, the MSC plays a very important role in building up the mental resilience of the community.
You may wish to read Art Therapy Can Improve Brain Function and Singing Helps People with Dementia? Here’s How a Research Study was Done. Both these research papers are lodged with the Mind Science Centre.
The only regret I had, leaving at the end of the musical, is that there was only one performance of this excellent musical.
lingsinglin
Dr Ling Sing Lin is a medical doctor by training. She worked in MOH HQ for many years, in policy making and administrative positions, until her retirement.
