“I’ve learned to enjoy every moment. Even adversity has its silver lining,” said Mdm Zuriah, 56, who lived a vibrant and active life.
The heart of her family, she spent each day working and caring for her children, husband, and elderly parents. But in looking after everyone else, she had neglected her own health.
Then, in 2023, she suffered a stroke — and everything changed.
Life changed in an instant. Her left limbs were immobilised, and she could no longer walk, move her arms, or perform simple daily tasks. Emotionally, the toll was heavy—but it also sparked a deep reflection. “It made me realise how precious life and health are. I had lost sight of managing my blood pressure and staying active. I became complacent,” she shared.
Her recovery journey brought her to St Luke’s Hospital (SLH). “I felt frustrated and helpless during an earlier hospital stay. But at SLH, I experienced something different,” she noted.
She vividly remembers her first shower at SLH, gently assisted by nurses as she lay down in a pool. “It was a turning point. The nurses, therapists, doctors… they all took time to talk to me, not just treat me,” she said. Now, she’s proud to share that she can shower while standing.
Beyond physical rehabilitation, she found healing for both body and soul. At the time, she was burdened with multiple worries: her husband’s chronic condition and daughter’s sports mishap weighed heavily on her. Sensing her distress, a doctor took the time to listen and gently helped her unpack each concern.
“For the first time in my life, I felt I could focus on myself. That brought peace,” she reflected.
After discharge, she attends St Luke’s Community Clinic, where she receives holistic care to manage her chronic conditions overseen by Dr Wong Wei Mon.
Care and Counselling sessions with pastoral counsellor Joshua Lam also helped her reflect on family dynamics and shift her perspective. With two growing teenagers, she had often worried that her immobility might impact them.
“Sometimes the problem on our shoulders feels heavy, but it’s our thinking that makes it overwhelming,” she added. “When I changed how I respond to the situation, over time I became less stressed.”
Understanding the importance of exercise, Zuriah joined the Community Gym (Gym Up), often commuting to SLH by bus. “Through regular exercises, my legs and arms that had contracted due to the stroke now feel looser,” she shared.
Today, she completes every exercise station without assistance and feels stronger with each session. The support from the team, including Senior Exercise Physiologist Raymond and Therapy Assistant Francis, made all the difference.
Her goal? “To walk without a wheelchair or quad stick,” she replied with a smile.
She has already progressed from needing full support to walking about 100 metres non-stop with aid. At home, she moves around independently, exercises, and manages her daily routines.
Today, Zuriah is not only recovering; she seeks to inspire others. “I still go out, meet friends, plan things. I hope to work again. Stroke humbled me, and I feel like I’m relearning everything with a new-found appreciation for my health,” she stated.
“I want to be a living example for my kids—that nothing is impossible with hard work. Life continues to move forward.”
