By Benson Ang

HIS muscles are wasting away and at 19, he is already wheelchair-bound.

But he is unfazed by his condition, and dreams of becoming a professional composer and releasing his own album.

On Saturday, Jason Oh Boon Keng was among two recipients of the inaugural Youth Aspiration Award, launched by the Society for the Physically Disabled (SPD).

The other recipient was Gopinath Subash, 17.

They were chosen from 12 applicants who were invited to apply for the award by social workers.

At the event, Jason, who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy (a genetic, degenerative disease affecting muscles), sang a song he wrote, titled Some Days, in English.

The soulful ballad is the first song he wrote both the melody and lyrics to.

He previously composed Chinese lyrics to another song, but didn't perform it because of copyright issues.

He said: "Through my songs, I hope to inspire people to dream big and go far in life despite their disabilities."

Love songs

He hopes to compose sentimental love songs. He can't compose fast songs because he doesn't have the energy to sing them.

He composes typically by singing or humming melodies to his friends, who write them down for him. His condition makes it hard for him to write his compositions himself.

He intends to use the award's grant to enrol in a pop composition course, probably at the Lee Wei Song School of Music.

He is grateful to his mother, Madam Lim Kwee Lan, who is in her 60s, because she encouraged his love for music and singing.

The housewife said this was because she felt singing and humming could help keep his lungs active, and delay the deterioration of his condition.

She discovered his condition when he was 5, when he kept falling down because his legs were weak.

Initially, she felt very sad, but has now come to live with her son's condition.

She said: "I just want him to be happy."

Due to his condition, he also can't write for a long time and finds it easier to use a computer keyboard.

He said he takes six months to a year to compose one song, because he has no musical background.

He added: "I hope this course can help me learn more about music chords and allow me to compose faster."

But he is also realistic about his condition.

Three years ago, he chose to study at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, although his O-level scores would have easily got him into a junior college .

The final-year psychology and community services student said: "I know my condition. I chose the polytechnic route because I will be able to get a job faster and it will allow me more time to give back to society."

Although he aspires to go to university,he said: "I'm afraid that by the time I qualify to go to university, I won't have the energy to study."

Gopinath, the other winner, also sang Jason's composition.

Gopinath suffers from left hemiplegia, so the left side of his body is mildly paralysed.

The student, who is taking his O levels privately, aims to be a singer and plans to use the grant for professional vocal classes.

He enjoys practising for a few hours every day in his room with a CD player.

He said: "There are some difficulties with not being able to control my left side, but you just have to get used to it."

Ms Grace Fu, Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of National Development and Ministry of Education, who presented the award, said: "Jason and Gopinath's determination to pursue their passions and contribute to the community is an inspiration to all of us.

"I hope their accomplishments will serve as an encouragement to their peers and other students to emulate them."

This article was first published in The New Paper.