“When you have nothing, you have to achieve something by yourself. At the end of the road, you’re by yourself.” – Francis Chong
In the hustle and bustle of Singapore’s fast-paced life, Francis Chong was constantly in motion. Navigating the steel sales industry with determination and vigour, his days were a whirlwind of meetings, constant travel, and relentless pursuit of targets. “I was always on the go, chasing numbers, and constantly under stress,” Francis recalls. Despite the chaos, he maintained a balance through regular exercise and a commitment to healthy eating habits.
But last October, his life took a sudden and unexpected turn. As he was en route to a golf course at Marina Bay, he felt numbness creeping into his left hand and leg. He pulled over, hoping a sip of water would alleviate the discomfort. “It was surreal. I didn’t grasp the severity of the situation,” Francis recounts. Unaware of the storm brewing within him, he called his trainer to inform him he’d be late. He hailed a cab and made his way to Changi General Hospital, but upon arrival, his condition rapidly deteriorated, necessitating a transfer to Singapore General Hospital.
The world around him became a blur as he grappled with dizziness and lost sensations, falling in and out of consciousness. The prognosis was grim – a hemorrhagic stroke, with slim odds of survival. Francis found himself teetering on the edge, uncertain of what lay ahead. In spite of the haze of medications, an uncontrollable fever, and soaring blood pressure, he fought battles not just against his physical limitations but also against the whirlwind of emotions that threatened to consume him. “The toughest part was the uncertainty,” Francis reflects. “Not knowing why it happened or when I’d recover.”
But Francis refused to succumb to despair. With each passing day, he embraced the challenges head-on, undergoing rigorous treatments and therapy sessions. From relearning how to write to mastering simple tasks like pouring a cup of water or signing his name – tasks once taken for granted – Francis embarked on a journey of self-reconstruction. Harnessing the power of neuroplasticity and driven by sheer willpower, he willed himself to recovery, with the unwavering support of healthcare professionals guiding his path. “It’s about taking small steps every day, even when the road ahead seems daunting,” Francis shares. “I had to adapt, to find new ways of doing things. It wasn’t easy, but with determination and perseverance, I made progress.”
As Francis transitioned from hospital to home, a new chapter of his journey unfolded. Settling into his mother’s residence, conveniently located near the Enabling Village, marked the beginning of his recovery journey. He delved into a comprehensive rehabilitation program tailored specifically for stroke care and recovery at the Stroke Support Station (S3), where physiotherapy sessions meticulously designed to restore his mobility and function became a daily regimen.
Faced with the daunting task of rebuilding his life, Francis made a conscious choice to prioritise his health, even if it meant reducing his work commitments. “I had to make sacrifices,” Francis explains. “My health became my top priority. It’s about mental and physical power to persevere and work on a new lifestyle.” Francis charted a course towards recovery, leaving no stone unturned in his quest for healing.
In this journey, Enabling Village emerged as a beacon of inclusivity and accessibility, offering a diverse range of amenities tailored to individuals like Francis. From a fully-equipped gym to a welcoming café environment, it provided him with spaces where he could work and relax at his own pace.
“My ultimate goal is to walk without any walking aids,” Francis shares. “I don’t use any walking aids at home, but I still fall down occasionally. I aim to take a train without any aid, even if it requires walking slowly.” By setting incremental goals and consistently pushing his boundaries, Francis exemplifies the resilience required to overcome obstacles, inspiring others to adopt a similar mindset in their struggles. He challenges prevailing attitudes towards disability and accessibility. By choosing to navigate without walking aids whenever possible, he defies preconceived notions of what it means to live with a physical limitation.
Today, Francis’s journey serves as an inspiring testimonial for others facing similar challenges. Through organisations like SG Enable, Enabling Village, and Stroke Support Station, he found not just support but a sense of belonging. “Inclusion goes beyond physical barriers,” Francis emphasises. “It’s about creating a society where everyone feels valued and respected.”
As Francis continues his journey, he hopes to spread awareness about strokes and the importance of self-care. “Life is precious, and we often take it for granted,” he reflects. “But in the face of adversity, we discover our inner strength and resilience.” And that, perhaps, is the greatest lesson of all.
Francis’s message to the world is one of resilience and empathy. He urges society to slow down and cultivate a culture of understanding and compassion. In a world that often values speed over substance, his story serves as a poignant reminder of the power of perseverance and the importance of human connection.
