#SpreadRainbowCheer A Journey of Grit, Grace and Love — Robby’s Story of Resilience, Friendship and Hope
For Robby, life has unfolded in many different seasons — each bringing new challenges, new passions and new reasons to smile.
Diagnosed with Williams Syndrome at just 10 months old, Robby had a difficult start. She struggled with feeding, never crawled, and only managed to stand at around two years old after extensive therapy. Yet, despite the challenges she faced, she was always a joyful child, known for her warm personality and her ready hugs for everyone around her.
In her own sweet world, Robby grew with grit and grace.
Williams Syndrome is a rare genetic condition that affects approximately one in 10,000 people. It can be associated with heart conditions, sensory sensitivities and intellectual disabilities, as well as distinctive facial features and a characteristic starburst pattern in the iris. At the same time, many individuals with Williams Syndrome are known for being highly sociable and outgoing, empathetic and expressive — qualities that are very much a part of Robby.
Finding Her Joy in the Water
As Robby grew older, she found her first great passion in swimming.
What began as an activity became a significant part of her life. She trained daily, competed internationally and eventually had the opportunity to represent Singapore at the World Para Games.
But while swimming became an important part of her growing up years, her journey was not without difficult seasons for the family.
Walking Through Difficult Seasons Together
The COVID-19 years were particularly challenging. With the family’s sole income earner losing his job, everyday expenses became more difficult to manage. The festive period could also bring additional financial pressures, especially as a new school year approached and the children needed new school bags, shoes and stationery.
During these challenging years, small acts of support could make a meaningful difference. It was around these difficult seasons of Robby’s life that Kris Kringle became a familiar and much-loved part of the family’s festive season.
Growing Up with Kris Kringle
Robby’s family was introduced to Club Rainbow (Singapore) when she was very young and newly diagnosed, and they have been part of the Club Rainbow community for many years.
Every year under Club Rainbow’s Kris Kringle programme, families are invited to submit a small wish that their child would love to receive for Christmas under Kris Kringle. Through Kris Kringle, Robby received gifts that seemed to mirror each chapter of her growing-up journey.
When she was younger, she would head to Toys “R” Us with her sibling to choose her gift. Even then, Robby had a generous heart. She would share her gift money so that she could buy something not only for herself, but for her brothers too.
One of her favourite gifts was a purple-pink unicorn soft toy that played a lullaby and projected a light onto her bedroom ceiling like starlight — a treasured childhood companion that brought her comfort and joy.
As the family went through more financially difficult times, Kris Kringle gifts became practical blessings. A new school bag, shoes and stationery helped her prepare for the new school year.
Then, as Robby started competitive swimming, she received swim caps and goggles — incredibly useful gifts for a young swimmer whose equipment was constantly being worn out.
Her most recent Kris Kringle gift was a set of tart trays, a gift that reflected a new chapter in Robby’s life.
In recent years, Robby discovered her second great love: baking. Alongside her vocational learning at school, Robby joined Club Rainbow’s Baking Classes for Youths under its Vocational Development programmes, where she began learning and developing her baking skills Today, Robby takes every opportunity to bake, sharing her homemade treats with others as little pieces of her heart and love.
Her Kris Kringle gift of tart trays have therefore become more than just another useful gift. Each gift met Robby where she was in that particular season of her life.
More Than a Gift
For Robby, however, Kris Kringle has always been about more than what she received.
She especially loved the outings and workshops organised through Kris Kringle. Naturally sociable and outgoing, Robby enjoyed spending time with her friends and volunteers. She would return home excitedly sharing about the experience and asking when she could go again.
Over the years, these experiences became something Robby looked forward to every holiday season — moments to have fun, meet people, build friendships and create memories together.
For her family, these moments have become precious memories too.
A Community Along the Way
After many years with Club Rainbow, Robby’s family describes the organisation’s support as “gentle but practical and meaningful”.
Club Rainbow has been there through different chapters of Robby’s life — from her early years following her diagnosis, through her swimming journey, difficult financial seasons. Today, opportunities such as Club Rainbow’s Baking Classes for Youths under its Vocational Development programmes have given Robby another space to explore her interests, develop practical skills and build confidence.
More importantly, the family has found a community along the way.
“Club Rainbow has given us light in some of our darkest days,” her family shares. “It has given us blessings and opportunities that otherwise she would never have been able to experience, as well as precious friendships over the years with fellow caregivers and Club Rainbow staff.”
Looking back, the family is grateful not only for the tangible support, but also for the people who have walked alongside them.
“Thank you for journeying with us in some of our darkest tunnels.”
The Ripple Effect of Giving
For the donors and partners who make Kris Kringle possible, Robby’s family has a heartfelt message:
“Thank you. Your donations and support mean more than you know. A donation may seem like just an amount, but its ripple effect can multiply many times over.”
And to those who may be thinking of donating or fundraising for Kris Kringle this year, they have one simple message:
“Many of these kids just need a little more help to blossom. Your help will give them the opportunity. Thank you in advance!”
For Robby, that little bit of help has been part of a much bigger journey — from finding joy in the water to discovering a love for baking, and from receiving gifts as a child to now sharing her own homemade bakes with others.
Her story is a reminder that with the right opportunities, encouragement and support, every child can find their own way to grow, discover their strengths and blossom.
This festive season, support our children like Robby via #SpreadRainbowCheer Fundraising Campaign and help give joy and hope, meaningful experiences and opportunities to children and families supported by Club Rainbow (Singapore).
Donate today, start your own fundraising campaign or spread the word with #SpreadRainbowCheer. Together, we can make this season a little brighter for our children.
About Club Rainbow (Singapore)
Established in 1992, Club Rainbow (Singapore) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting children with chronic illnesses, many of whom have disabilities and special needs, and their families. Anchored in our commitment to empowering individuals to lead dignified lives and become active contributors to society, Club Rainbow delivers more than 30 critical programmes, services, and assistance schemes to support our children and their family members.
Website: https://www.clubrainbow.org
Contact number: 6377 1789
Email: contact@clubrainbow.org
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