I am deeply grateful to be featured on the cover of Printed Word Reviews, with a four-page World Stroke Day cover story titled “Terence Ang and the Power of Being Heard.” Publisher Ted Olczak also shared my journey in his publisher’s letter, making this recognition especially meaningful to me.
Led by Ted, Printed Word Reviews is an independent literary publication and community platform supporting authors, small presses, and publishers through book reviews, author interviews, and publishing resources.
To see my story given this space means more than seeing my name and photograph in a magazine.
The feature explores life after my stroke in 2020—the everyday challenges of aphasia, the emotional weight of losing familiar parts of myself, and how writing and illustrating helped me begin rebuilding my identity.
It follows my journey from finding expression on the page to speaking at the World Stroke Congress, sharing my experience through film, and creating my poetry audiobook, Brokenness Becomes Beautiful, using an AI-cloned version of my own voice.
Through poems and personal reflections, the book explores self-discovery, acceptance, healing, and the possibility of growing through experiences we did not choose. The audiobook went on to win the 2026 NYC Big Book Award in the Audiobook: Poetry/Memoir category.
One quote in the cover story captures what this technology means to me:
“AI did not cure my aphasia or restore my voice. It just gave me another way for my words to be heard.”
Speaking still takes effort. I still search for words. But being able to share my poetry in a version of my own voice has given me another way to connect with others.
In his publisher’s letter, Ted describes writing and illustrating as “a powerful lifeline to process trauma and rebuild his identity.” That line means a great deal to me. Writing gave me somewhere to place feelings I could not easily explain aloud.
And one sentence from the cover story carries a message I hope readers will remember:
“Because a broken sentence is not an empty one.”
Behind a hesitant sentence is a person who is still thinking, still feeling, and still trying to be heard. Sometimes, we simply need more time—and someone willing to listen.
Thank you, Ted and the Printed Word Reviews team, for seeing the person behind the books and helping bring greater understanding to life with aphasia.
From Singapore to readers beyond our shores, I hope my story helps someone feel less alone and more confident that their own story matters.
Aphasia changed my voice. It did not silence me.
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