The Stories Behind: The student who learnt to walk, read and write again in time for PSLE after contracting meningitis
It began as a “normal passing cough and flu" on March 19, 2011, which soon developed into high fever and a bacterial infection which then travelled to his brain and spinal cord.When he woke up close to three months later, he had no idea what had happened. He later found out that the meningitis had impacted the right half of his brain — causing damage to the part of the brain responsible for logical thinking.
According to the most recent disease classifications, his illness would now be described as Febrile Illness Related Epilepsy Syndrome, which refers to severe continuous seizures which could cause severe irreversible brain damage and even lead to death without prompt treatment. These activities were put on hold as it took six months of intensive physiotherapy such as hydrotherapy sessions, where he would walk in a small pool to enhance resistance and gain strength in his legs.
Mathematics, which was his “strongest subject” before he fell sick, became one of his biggest worries. He managed to get an aggregate score of 158 and gained admission to Serangoon Garden Secondary School in the Normal stream. “It’s part and parcel of life; it’s learning how to take care of yourself because that is very important,” he said.