Don’t Grow Up – It’s a Trap (Don’t Grow Up – It’s a Trap)
This line — “Don’t grow up, it’s a trap” — came from a dark time in my life. It wasn’t meant to be cheeky or funny. It was whispered by the boy inside me — my alter ego — during the hardest moment I’ve ever faced.
During and after my stroke, I had to relearn everything. Talking. Walking. Even being me again. I was broken, scared, and often silent. But then something unexpected happened: the little...
After more than 35 years, I crossed paths with an old friend— Henri Leong.
Henri is one of Singapore’s top hairdressers and runs one of the best hair salons in the country. Trained at Vidal Sassoon Academy, he’s a true master in razor cutting, makeovers, and turning hair into high fashion. Back then, I was a creative director bringing in the best fashion pieces for magazine shoots, and Henri was the magician behind some of the most stunning hairstyles worn by models and celebrities. He was...
It’s Time to Fly
by Terence Ang
There was a time when I couldn’t even speak the words in my heart. When my body felt like a cage and my thoughts were locked inside. After my stroke, I had to learn how to walk again, talk again, live again. I wasn’t just healing—I was rebuilding.
Every step forward was a struggle. Every stumble felt like a setback. But somehow, I kept going. Not because I was fearless—but because something inside me refused to quit.
And now, after all the falls and the fights, I...
From silence to poetry, Thunderstroke is my journey of survival, strength, and spiritual renewal.
Each poem is a step toward healing—just like Easter, it reminds us that even after the darkest days, light returns.
"I fell into silence, but not into defeat..."
"Thunderstroke and Easter: A Journey from Darkness to Light"
Easter has always symbolized rebirth, hope, and the triumph of light over darkness. This year, it feels even more meaningful as I reflect on my journey and the release of my...
Thunderstroke: A Poetry Memoir Inspired by a True Story is a deeply moving and inspiring collection of poetry and memoir, offering readers a wellspring of meaning and reflection. How do you strike a balance between clarity and ambiguity in your poetry?
Poetry is a unique space where emotions and meaning can exist between the lines. For me, finding the balance between clarity and ambiguity comes naturally through my experience with aphasia. I aim to make my poetry accessible, allowing readers...
August 2020 marked a pivotal moment in my life. I suffered a life-changing stroke that turned my world upside down. At that time, I was overseeing digital marketing and e-commerce for Singapore's largest electronics and home company. The immediate aftermath of the stroke was a profound emotional and physical upheaval. I struggled with basic tasks and felt a deep sense of loss and frustration over my inability to communicate as I once had. The loss of independence, even in simple activities...
Terence Ang Interview Published on: 20, Nov 2024
Can you share what inspired you to write A Cry in the Dark and how your personal experience influenced the book?
I never imagined I’d write a book, but the stroke was a wake-up call that changed everything overnight. Suddenly, I found myself outside my comfort zone—going from a man in control to someone dependent on others. Losing my job, something I was deeply passionate about, was devastating. I turned to writing as a way to process my...
