A Singaporean theater production reveals caregiving complexity
'Supervision' delves into questions about privacy, dependency, and dignity
I recently had the opportunity to attend a Singaporean theater production titled “Supervision,” thanks to the SingHealth Patient Advocacy Network (SPAN). SPAN is a collective of patients and caregivers who provide feedback to improve healthcare here in Singapore. I’ve been part of it since 2022. The invitation to the play was a thank-you for volunteering with several healthcare projects, including reviewing fact sheets on chronic illnesses for the Health Ministry’s Agency for Care Effectiveness.
“Supervision” was staged by Wild Rice, a theater company known for tackling social issues in Singapore. The play, which follows an old, wheelchair-using man; his middle-aged daughter; and their live-in, migrant domestic worker, delves into questions about privacy, dependency, and dignity. These themes resonated deeply with me as a Duchenne muscular dystrophy patient-survivor, evoking a profound emotional response.
Watching the play reminded me of Glenda, my longtime caregiver of nearly two decades who recently left to be reunited with her family in the Philippines. I now have another caregiver who’s adjusting well to her new role. This transition has made me more aware of how rarely we talk about the complexity of caregiving in Singapore.
Respecting dignity in caregiving relationships
In Singapore, hiring a migrant domestic worker is a common way for families to manage long-term care needs. But what “Supervision” revealed — and what I’ve felt personally — is how often both disabled people and migrant caregivers can lose autonomy under these arrangements.
As someone who relies on 24/7 assistance, I know the vulnerability of being monitored and managed. I’ve also seen how society often disregards caregivers’ emotions and rights, treating them as background figures in the stories of those they care for.
The play didn’t offer easy answers. Instead, it posed challenging questions that I believe should be at the forefront of discussions in disability spaces. How can we protect the privacy of someone who needs help with basic tasks? How do we ensure caregivers don’t burn out or lose their individuality? These are the conversations we need to have.
I attended “Supervision” not just as a viewer but also as a researcher. I’m working on my debut play with ART:DIS, a Singaporean disability arts charity. The play explores the dignity of death and the essence of living well when time is limited. As someone with Duchenne, this concept is not a theoretical — it’s my reality. Art, in all its forms, is a powerful tool for advocating for disability rights and inspiring change.
Wild Rice turned 25 this year, and its longevity reminds me of my brother, Isaac, who passed away at the age of 28 from Duchenne, and the many others in my community who never got the chance to tell their stories. I write and perform not just for myself but also for them.
People with Duchenne aren’t often seen on stage. We’re not handed scripts or put in the spotlight. That’s why I want to use theater to amplify voices that are too frequently ignored: those of disabled people, family caregivers, and migrant domestic workers who’ve become like family to many.
Like the characters in “Supervision,” we’re all human, and we all deserve to be seen.
Note: Muscular Dystrophy News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Muscular Dystrophy News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to muscular dystrophy.
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