IT was a little man who inspired Member of Parliament Denise Phua to step into the public arena two years ago.

Her 12-year-old son, Jun-Yi, who is autistic, provided a starting point for her to think about serving the country.

Ms Phua, 48, said: 'It was because of my son that I got to know the challenges faced by the non-profit sector.

'I agreed to join politics thinking I could be a voice for those who are unable to speak up for themselves.'

In Parliament, you can often hear Ms Phua, who also has a 14-year-old daughter, fighting for more rights for special-needs children and the disabled.

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Jalan Besar is also the school board supervisor of the autism schools, the Pathlight School and the Singapore Autism School.

Jun-Yi 'transformed' her life, Ms Phua said. 'He expedited my life journey of going beyond one's self and worldly success.'

Ms Phua also gets her strength from her husband of 22 years.

'Like the Bette Midler song, he's truly the wind beneath my wings,' she gushed.

Her husband, Mr Tay Kiong Hong, 52, a senior vice-president in a telecommunications company, said of his wife's career choice: 'We knew it was going to be difficult because she would be (in the) public (life), and I'm an introverted and private person. But ultimately, it's got to do with the causes she's championing.'

And men, how many of you would put the brakes on your career just so your wife can advance hers?

When Ms Phua became an MP, her husband adjusted his duties at work so that he would travel abroad less.

Ms Phua said: 'He's never once grumbled about the time I spend (on my work).

'His support is a daily thing, not ad-hoc, which makes it all the more precious because I know he's always there.'

This article was first published in The New Paper on Mar 8, 2008.