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Showing posts with label Career. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Career. Show all posts

Saturday, May 24, 2025

I am stronger now a better person than I was before my stroke

Beating the odds: Jenithaa conducting a training programme.


In July 2017, I woke up during the night with the feeling gravity was pinning me to the bed. 

I managed to get up and shuffle to the bathroom before waking my wife. My left side didn’t seem to be responding as it should. We’re both familiar with the F.A.S.T (Face. Arms. Speech. Time) signs of stroke so when we switched on the light and saw there was no change to my face, we went back to bed. We hoped whatever was going on would sort itself out by the morning. 

However, the next day things were clearly not right so we went to hospital. I was assessed by the stroke team and had a scan of my brain. My scan didn’t show anything and my symptoms were deemed to be related to a virus, so I went home.  

Back home, I nearly fell over in the driveway as my leg failed to step out of the car. I still had movement in my left limbs, but they were reacting slowly. I couldn’t walk unaided. I needed assistance getting into the house and getting into bed, where I stayed until the next morning. By then, the situation had worsened and I went back to hospital in an ambulance. 

I was assessed again and had another brain scan. This time the doctor saw a stroke. 

I had been diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat nine years earlier when I was 47. My cardiologist, at the time, conducted a treadmill test and echo test. She concluded that my heart was strong and my arteries were clear. I was otherwise well, so I was told not to worry and enjoy life. 

The doctors in the hospital detected my heart irregularity and said I had atrial fibrillation (AF), and that is what caused my stroke. According to the Stroke Foundation, atrial fibrillation affects more than 400,000 Australians and many of those people don’t even know. People with AF are five times more likely to have a stroke. 

My occupational therapist put everything in context. She said my white blood cells were stripping away the dead brain cells and other cells were taking on the job of that part of my brain. But these cells needed to learn, so the more I did or tried to do, the better chance they would have of establishing new pathways for messaging to the rest of my body.

This made sense to me so I kicked into gear – well, not quite ‘kicked’ but motioned at least. My left side was impacted so I started working on it. I ordered a banana with breakfast each morning and spent a few hours holding and twirling it in my left hand until I got sick of it and ate the sucker. I worked out I could use the bed rail as a makeshift tricep lifting machine to strengthen my left arm, until the nursing staff caught me. They thought l might break the bed so they brought in some dumbbells. I did other exercises as well and noticed the more l did, the more movement was coming back. I was excited to wake up and see what my brain had learnt the day before and how it would respond today.

After a week, I moved to a rehabilitation hospital where I did occupational therapy and two physiotherapy sessions each day. I was determined to improve, and I did my own workouts in between. I was told I would be there for up to four weeks, but was discharged after two weeks. I wanted to stay longer because I felt there was more improvement I could make, but I was sent home and continued as an outpatient. 

Once I was home, I had a garage gym I began working out in and also hit the local gym every day focusing on what I could turn this new body of mine into. 

On my first day back at the gym, I picked up 12 kilogram dumbbells in each arm, which is what l used before the stroke. The first few days were pathetic attempts to use these weights, but I persisted. Amazingly the strength came back fairly quickly and I now use 17 kilo dumbbells. 

I took an initial three months off work as a home loan specialist to rebuild my body, then another three months to try and build brain endurance as brain fatigue would hit and it would hit hard. When I was able, I’d go to the gym as l found the blood flow and endorphins would give the brain fatigue a run for its money and replace it with muscular fatigue – which was much nicer.

I couldn’t have done any of this without the love and support of my family. They were my cheer squad. My wife was my rock and my recovery journey has inspired each of them to some degree in different ways. 

Emotionally, I never felt upset or depressed. I had a pretty simple approach to my situation – I had lived 55 great years, married a wonderful woman and we had raised great kids. My life to me was a book – I didn’t write it; it was written for me and I have no idea how many chapters are in my book. No-one does. 

The reason I wanted to share my story was partly to highlight that not all the F.A.S.T factors need to be present when a stroke occurs.  But more importantly, stroke doesn’t mean your life is over. The human body is an amazing thing and the recovery journey I’ve been on has shown me what it is capable of doing. 

Although it has taken time, my journey has been exciting in many ways as l watched my left side become operational again. I am actually stronger now than l was pre-stroke. I have also returned to work – all that within eight months.  - 
 By Greg Crawford


Greg exercising

‘I am now a better person than before the stroke'


Beating the odds: Jenithaa conducting a training programme.

KLANG: She was at the height of her career when the inevitable struck, leaving her physically and financially devastated.

However, years later, Jenithaa Santhirasekaran, 56, believes that the stroke she suffered in 2011 was a blessing in disguise.

Jenithaa, who was then a country director for the Malaysian AIDS Council overseeing an externally funded programme on community action and harm reduction, recalled: “The stroke and the physical disability that followed made me look at myself, and life in general, from a different perspective.

“I was doing very well before it happened, but I was proud, arrogant and self-centred, believing I had the best career, as well as wealth and glamour.”

The mother of three daughters aged 33, 22 and 17, and grandmother of a six-year-old girl, had also served as the executive director of outreach organisation PT Foundation before joining the Malaysian Aids Council.

Jenithaa recalled how the turning point in her life came after she was injured in a snatch theft incident that resulted in her suffering injuries to her head, face and neck.

“I was on medical leave for two weeks and suffered from nausea and headaches and felt faint all the time long after my medical leave ended.

“Two months later, when attending a meeting in Bali, I suffered a stroke in my hotel room,” said Jenithaa.

The stroke rendered her unable to walk and talk, and also affected her right eye.

After being hospitalised in Bali for two weeks, she was allowed to return home to Malaysia and was readmitted here two weeks later after suffering fits.

Wheelchair-­bound but able to speak by then, Jenithaa said she went for everything she believed could help her, such as ayurvedic treatment, massages and acupuncture.

“I was jobless, broke and an OKU (orang kurang upaya – a person with disabilities) and after a while I had no money left in my bank account.

“There came a time when there wasn’t even any food in the house to feed my children and that truly devastated me and made me feel useless,’’ said Jenithaa, adding that it was then that she decided to take her own life.

Desiring to spend one final day with her three daughters, then aged 19, eight and four, Jenithaa emerged from her room, where she had been isolating herself, to be with them.

However, when she saw how much her children loved her and their happiness upon seeing her, Jenithaa chose to fight back and refused to let the stroke control her life.

“I stopped using my wheelchair and held on to walls and objects while teaching myself to walk again.

“I also literally begged, borrowed and stole to raise my children in the condition that I was in.

“I made myself ‘thick-skinned’ and asked for help but unfor­tunately lost so many ‘friends’ during this time after I approached them to seek financial help,” said Jenithaa, who became a single mother when her youngest daughter was born.

She also called up friends and acquaintances and started going out to let people see her in her post-stroke condition.

Jenithaa added that she started taking any job that came her way as well as pursued courses and developed herself into a speaker, forum panellist and advocate for the differently-abled.

“I am now a certified neuro-­linguistic master practitioner and trainer, clinical hypnotherapist, disability equality training ­trai­ner, non-governmental organisation management trainer, environment social and governance trainer and a diversity, equity and inclusion trainer.”

She added that she has also developed and run modules on emotional well-being, climate change and innovative parenting and has conducted over 100 workshops to date.

Jenithaa said she is currently completing a diploma in integra­ted psychotherapy specialising in childhood and adulthood abuse, trauma, grief health and past life regression therapy.

Despite sight not yet fully retur­ning to her right eye, her right leg completely numb, her right hand disabled and her speech sometimes impaired, Jenithaa added that she has finally found herself.

“I am happy that I am now a better person than I was before the stroke happened.”

She can be contacted at jenithaa69@gmail.com

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Friday, August 9, 2024

A journey filled with cultural riches

Model student: Goh delivering a speech at her graduation ceremony in 2022, where she received the award for outstanding doctoral graduate. — Photo courtesy of Goh


Scholar says her five-year stay in China nothing short or unforgettable


PETALING JAYA: A Malaysian’s academic journey in China has been enriched with unique opportunities to advance personal growth and experience the country’s rich culture.

Dr Goh Chye Poh said her most fascinating experience was attending the opening ceremony of the 2022 Beijing Paralympic Winter Games and contributing to the production of its theme song music video “Together for a Shared Future” for the Beijing TV station covering the event.

“It was truly a privilege for me and my coursemates to be part of such a significant and unforgettable experience.

“I was honoured to contribute creatively to the representation of the Paralympics through music,” she told The Star in a recent interview. 

Goh, 35, from Taiping, Perak, pursued her doctorate in Chinese International Education at Beijing Language and Culture University on a Chinese government scholarship after completing her master’s degree at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman.

Since arriving in China in 2019, she has embraced the country’s diverse experiences.

“Each season brings its own unique beauty, from spring blooms to winter snow. 

“Adapting to the changing seasons requires adjusting not just my clothing and activities but also my mindset.

“Over time, I’ve learnt to fully embrace the rhythms of the four seasons,” she said.

Goh’s academic journey has been marked by achievements, including winning prizes in essay and speech competitions for Asean international students.

“These achievements led to more opportunities to participate in international events,” she said.

Goh also had the opportunity to deliver a speech at her 2022 graduation ceremony after successfully defending her thesis on comparative lexical knowledge systems between Malaysia and China.

To stay updated on industry developments, Goh said she frequently attended or hosted forums.

“Earlier this year, I had the honour of participating in exchange activities in Xinjiang, a crucial Silk Road hub with a rich and diverse culture that left a lasting impression.

“The most rewarding aspect was immersing myself in the daily lives of local residents.

“Seeing the unique cultural charm of each city I visited is so endearing,” she said.

Now living in the central business district of Chaoyang in Beijing, Goh’s passion for learning and experiencing new adventures remains a driving force in her academic and personal pursuits.

“I hope I will visit more cities in China. My time here has been both enriching and fulfilling.

“The country has provided countless opportunities for my career advancement and personal growth,” she said.

Source link 

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Saturday, August 27, 2016

Be an entrepreneur or a politician?


Let your children decide on their employment choice


Most parents in their fifties are looking at retirement options when their children starts looking for employment after their studies. There is this transition moment in our family circle of life where the baton of employment, career or business is being passed to the next generation.

The older generation after 30 years of slogging, looks forward to easier passing of days without the responsibilities and worries whilst the younger generation looks forward with optimism and high hopes of securing a good career ahead.

As an entrepreneur with businesses and investments, my natural instinct is to rope them into the family business, if any, as any typical old generation Chinese businessman will do. But I made up my mind some 7 years ago when my first born started his A Level, that my children will make their own choice whether they will prefer to seek employment elsewhere or participate in the family business. It will be their choice and decision and I will support whole heartedly whatever decisions they will make. 7 years later, I still have the same conviction.

I had this feeling that the business world and environment will be much different with all these globalization and technological advancement and the businesses that I was in will be operating in a much more competitive and disruptive world order. This has proven to be true.

The traditional brick and mortar businesses are under tremendous stress to keep up with new disruptive technologies and new business ideas.

My children will have to learn new skills and insights and they definitely will not be able to learn from my traditional family business unless I had instituted changes to my existing business to join the new business order. But I did not know how.

So it is better that they decide on their choice of employment in whatever industries they choose as long as they are working for a forward looking company who is able to embrace the new technological changes that is changing the business order across the global markets. And if they do decide later after some years of working experience to venture out as an entrepreneur, I will also support them wholeheartedly.

Assuming they are up to it, with the right attitude and skill sets.

Not everyone is capable of being a ‘successful’ entrepreneur. It is easy to start a business, call yourself a founder and entrepreneur but chances of being successful is limited to the capable few. For most cases, you are better off building a good career in a good organization rather than struggling in a small scale business for the rest of your life.

If you planned to be an entrepreneur, just make sure your business potential is scalable to a size that will earned you nett, double what you would be earning in a good job. Or else it will be a waste of time. The thrill of being your own boss wears thin over time when you are not doing well financially.

I have many friends who have done very well in their corporate careers and they seem very happy when we do meet up. They definitely look younger than me, with less stressful lines, a radiant and happy face. Compared to my aged face filled with worried lines and scars of agony suffered through the years. Was it worth it?

With the wisdom of hindsight, I am now able to advise my children on their decision making process on whether they should be a corporate suit or to go on their own. My only guidance to them is whatever choice they make, just ensure their actions are productive and contribute towards the well being of the economy. Don’t be lazy, do good where you can and be as good as you can be. Then start a family. Circle of life starts again.

The only career that I totally discouraged my children from is the job of a politician. Good politicians are hard to find nowadays. Since integrity left the politicians, good virtues and honesty followed. What is left is a shell of a conniving and corrupted politician using whatever means they can to stay in power supposedly representing the people’s interest.

All over the world, the politicians together with religious and racist bigots have caused total mayhem to our daily lives. People are divided by race, religion and skin colour. Nothing makes sense anymore. Throw in lots of money into a politician’s hands and we have absolute corruption across the ranks. Cash is king. Everybody can be bought. And I mean everybody.

What is really sad is the complete breakdown of morality and integrity of the human politician. Where he suffers no shame when he is openly corrupted. When he can sleep well even though he has done many evil things destroying the moral fabric of the society which he swore to protect. I have nothing but despise for these toxic politicians.

The few genuine politicians who stand up their grounds to all are few and far between. Eventually, they too will engulfed by the all pervasive influence of corruption.

To the younger generation joining the working community, my only advice is to pick a job that fits your personality and your skill sets. Make sure you enjoy the job. Get some proper working experience under your belt and you can evaluate your options in a more leisurely way.

You will know when there is a calling for you to become an entrepreneur. You will be unhappy with your job, your bosses irritates you, there is a burning desire that has just lighted up in your belly, a brilliant idea suddenly appeared and you feel that you are now ready to be an entrepreneur. Are you?

From experience, it takes a long time for an entrepreneur to make big fortune. If you do not have the patience, I recommend you a job that makes money faster than an entrepreneur.

Be a politician.

 Source: Tan Thiam Hock, On Your Own/Starbizweek

The writer is an entrepreneur who hopes to share his experience and insights with readers who want to take that giant leap into business but are not sure if they should.

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