Making a cup of coffee, dressing oneself or tying shoelaces are simple activities that many of us do on a daily basis. However, what if we lose the ability to use our dominant hand?

To encourage individuals to step into the shoes of persons with disabilities, we initiated the SPD Left Hand Challenge where individuals perform an everyday task using their non-dominant hand and challenge others to do the same. Through taking up this challenge, individuals not only increase the awareness of the day-to-day challenges faced by people with disabilities but also raise much needed funds to help them access therapy services and care to learn ways to overcome these challenges.

The SPD Left Hand Challenge kicked off with a staff edition at SPD Ability Centre on 18 June. Our colleagues tried buttoning a shirt, tying shoelaces, using scissors, making coffee and peeling bananas and oranges with their non-dominant hand.

“I have never thought that it is so challenging to complete simple tasks using my non-dominant hand. Through this left-hand challenge, I can understand the daily challenges that people with disabilities are facing better,” said human resource senior manager, Esther Kwek, who clocked the fastest time when peeling a banana and tying shoelaces among staff participants.

Many individuals responded to the call-for-action and took the challenge online by conducting diverse activities, including opening a pack of crackers, changing diapers, using chopsticks, cracking an egg, putting on eyeliner, doing one-hand push-up and even sketching.

Foreword Coffee, an inclusive employer who hires persons with disabilities, also took up the challenge where its staff made coffee using their non-dominant hand at the café.

Volunteers from Kipling, in celebration of their Global Purpose Movement Day in June, spent their day with our clients from the Day Activity Centre (DAC) and painted a mural with Singapore’s skyline, using only their non-dominant hand.

At a disability awareness storytelling session, children from MerlionKids International Preschool did colouring with their non-dominant hand and learnt about diversity in our community.

Thank you for your efforts!

We hope to raise $10,000 through this challenge, which goes towards supporting our programmes and services. For those who have not tackled the left hand challenge, here’s what you need to do:

1. Pick a day-to-day activity and perform it using your non-dominant hand
2. Post a photo or video of the activity on your social media platforms, tag @SPDSingapore and hashtag #SPDLeftHandChallenge
3. Challenge 3 or more friends to do the same within 24 hours
4. Donate $5 or more to SPD via giving.sg/spd/spd-left-hand-challenge to support persons with disabilities!

For more information, visit https://spd.org.sg/spd-left-hand-challenge/