
Summary:
- Retired engineer Kelvin Chan repairs personal mobility aids (PMAs) for seniors in Singapore, often offering simple fixes for free to support those with little or no income.
- He sees his work as both a way to restore independence for elderly users and a means of reducing e-waste by extending the lifespan of PMAs.
- With mentorship from a veteran repairer, Kelvin now aims to grow the small workshop into a community repair hub to better serve seniors’ needs.
Repairing personal mobility aids supports community, sustainability
"If it's serious enough, we might have to wait for specialised parts – so that will take a few days."
"But I still wanted to work, just without that focus on bread-and-butter issues. I wanted something more fulfilling. Something where I would be able to help people."
Also read:
Adult Diapers For Travel, Concerts, And Long Queues: One Writer’s Honest Review
Often seen as a medical aid for seniors, adult diapers can also be useful for travellers, concert-goers, and anyone who simply can’t hold it in. One writer shares her surprisingly liberating experience – and why it’s time to rethink the stigma.
Rahimah Rahim: Inspiring Generations Through Music and Culture
Rahimah Rahim reflects on her career, family and the impact of her work.
"Personal mobility is a human right"
"Every broken PMA is a form of e-waste, but if you can get it to work for three, four, or five more years, that’s something you saved from the junk heap."