Although she has limited mobility on her left fingers, she heads to the Active SG gym there for fitness and found the equipment inclusive for individuals with disabilities. “It allows me to stay fit without fearing whether the equipment is suitable for me.
“This experience has shown me a different side of humanity. I now learned the importance of understanding and listening to my body. Now, I prioritise self-care and pay attention to my body’s signals.”
SUZILAWATI BINTE MOHAMED RAIS, 51
In October 2018, after suffering from headaches for two weeks, Suzilawati lost feeling in her left side – face, arm and leg. She also felt dizziness and sudden confusion.
Suzilawati was diagnosed with right corona radiata infarct or what is known as “white matter stroke”. The corona radiata carries much of the brain’s neural traffic. So strokes like this can affect loss of sensation on one side of the body and affect muscle coordination and control. In some cases, it can cause paralysis on the affected side.
Suzilawati found the emotional and mental challenges more taxing than the physical ones. “I wanted to go back to work. So a disability like mine where my left side of the body is affected, my movement is slowed down and it can be daunting.
“To get back to work, I needed to be mentally strong and also be patient as I needed to do things at a slower pace.”