MISS Dong Thi Hue is
hearing-impaired.
But that has not stopped the 19-year-old Vietnamese from looking
for her dream guy.
Her only criterion: He must also be hearing-impaired.
This way, both can communicate well through the universal sign
language, which people with hearing defects usually have to
learn.
Miss Dong is unlike her Singaporean peers, who prefer men who
are not hearing-impaired, said Mr Martin Wong, managing director of
Mr Cupid International Matchmakers.
Singapore women – whether hearing-impaired or not – tend to be
choosy, said the matchmaker.
This is why he came up with the idea of helping both
hearing-impaired Singapore men and Vietnamese women hook up,
following requests from some local men.
Currently, he has 10 hearing-impaired Vietnamese women waiting
in the wings for Singapore spouses with similar disability.
By looking for foreign spouses, these women hope to break out of
the clutch of poverty and have better lives.
They are aged between 18 and 25, educated in special schools and
are able to communicate in universal sign language.
They are also able to cook, do household chores and are willing
to start families with their foreign husbands.
Said Mr Wong: ‘Despite being born with hearing defects, these
women learn to stay positive and independent from young.’
Mr Cupid started this service following requests from
Singaporean walk-in clients with such a disability.
Mr Wong said the men said their disability hindered them from
finding local wives.
TRICKY BUSINESS
Even hearing-impaired women here generally prefer men without
such disabilities, he added.
So far, they have not matched any couple yet as the service
started a few months ago.
According to Mr Wong, some visually-impaired men have also asked
if the agency can recommend them women with similar disability.
But, currently, it does not.
Other matchmaking agencies told The New Paper on Sunday that
matchmaking disabled people is a tricky business and should be
handled with caution – if tackled at all.
Mr Francis Toh, who runs First Overseas International
Matchmaker, said he has turned down such requests.
He said this is because he cannot ‘speak’ their language.
Mr Toh explained in Mandarin: ‘We’re already taking a chance
when matchmaking able-bodied people because both have to adapt to
each other’s habit, culture and personality.
‘When it comes to hearing-impaired people, the situation is more
touchy.
‘It is dangerous. I don’t want to burden either party with each
other’s disability.’
Mr Mark Lin of Vietnam Brides International Matchmaker said he
also received such requests.
Recently, three hearing-impaired Singaporean men asked for help
to find wives, he said. He rejected them after they made known
their intentions by writing on paper.
Mr Lin said: ‘They wanted wives who are pretty, young and
able-bodied – when they cannot offer the same to the women. So it
is very difficult to find a perfect match for them.’
He has matched four disabled Singaporean men with able-bodied
foreign women.
‘People who are disabled need not necessarily look for similarly
disabled partners to have a happy marriage.
‘Just like people who are born poor need not necessarily marry
another poor person. As long as they do not set their sights too
high, they can find someone who will meet their expectations and
vice versa,’ said Mr Lin.