Receiving the Inspirational Patient Award at the SingHealth Inspirational Patient & Caregiver Awards 2026 was a moment I will never forget.

The ceremony was held at The Ngee Ann Kongsi Auditorium, Academia, Singapore General Hospital. As I walked up to receive the award from Guest-of-Honour Prof Fong Kok Yong, Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer, Medical and Clinical Services, SingHealth, I felt humbled.

At the same time, I felt something else too.

I felt proud.

Not proud in a loud or boastful way. Proud in a quiet, grateful way. Proud because I knew what it had taken for me to reach that stage. Proud because I knew the journey behind that short walk was not short at all.

Since my stroke in 2020, recovery has changed the way I move, speak, communicate, and see myself. Some days were hopeful. Some days were painfully slow. There were moments when my words failed me, my body did not respond, and I wondered if I would ever feel like myself again.

So, standing on that stage was more than receiving an award.

It was a reminder that I had survived.

 It was a reminder that I had kept going.

 It was a reminder that even when life breaks you open, something meaningful can still grow from the broken places.

Prof Teo Eng Kiong, Chief Executive Officer of Sengkang General Hospital, was also on stage to witness the presentation of the award. That made the moment even more meaningful, because Sengkang General Hospital has been such an important part of my recovery journey.

But what touched me most was not only the award.

It was seeing the people who mattered to me gathered in the auditorium.

As I walked up, I could hear them clapping.

That sound stayed with me.

For many people, applause may seem like a small thing. But for me, it felt like love. It felt like encouragement. It felt like a reminder that I was not walking this journey alone.

I was deeply touched that Harpreet Singh made time from his busy schedule to spend the afternoon with me. His presence meant a lot.

I was also moved that Jack, my trainer, came even though he was rushing off for a flight to Japan for a special holiday. The fact that he still made the effort to be there before leaving is something I will always remember.

And of course, my favourite doctor, Dr Moses Koh.

Dr Moses was the one who nominated me for this award. He has seen me through some of the most difficult parts of my recovery. He did not only see me as a patient. He saw the person I was trying to become again. For that, I am deeply grateful.

I was also touched that Dr Dominic Chen from Sengkang General Hospital who was at the event came by to congratulate me. It meant a lot to see familiar faces from the hospital community who have been part of my journey.

I also want to thank the wonderful Sengkang team, especially Vivian and Mdm Wong, who took care of me from the moment I arrived until the moment I left for home. Their kindness, patience, and care reminded me again that healing is not only found in medicine. It is also found in people.

Most of all, none of this would have happened without my partner, who has stood by me through everything.

My partner has seen the tears, the frustration, the fear, the silence, the struggle, and the small victories that many people do not see. Behind every public moment, there are private battles. Behind every award, there are people who quietly hold you up when you cannot stand strong on your own.

For me, my partner has been that person.

This award may have my name on it, but the journey belongs to many people.

It belongs to the doctors who treated me.

 It belongs to the therapists who guided me.

 It belongs to the friends who showed up.

 It belongs to the community that encouraged me.

 It belongs to the people who believed in me when I was still learning how to believe in myself again.

I am humbled to receive this award.

But more than that, I am grateful.

Grateful for life.

 Grateful for recovery.

 Grateful for friendship.

 Grateful for love.

 Grateful that my story did not end with stroke.

The way I communicate may have changed.

 The way I move may have changed.

 The way I live may have changed.

But I am still here.

And as long as I am here, I hope to keep using my voice, my writing, my art, and my lived experience to encourage others who may be going through their own difficult journey.

This award is not just a recognition of how far I have come.

It is a reminder to keep going.