I was born with Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), a name most can’t pronounce, let alone understand.
During primary school, my condition became a daily spectacle. Laughter echoed behind my back as children stared and giggled.
I would think to myself is it me? Have I done something? And when I asked my parents, they said “not to worry, children and being children, they don’t know any better”.
The first big test of “life” came at the age of 11, when an accident claimed my left eye. Living with an empty socket for 12-months before receiving my prosthetic eye was an emotional maze, both mentally and physically.
During Secondary school, I had transformative realisation. Why not let my enigma be my strength?
So I chose to let the real me overshadow my condition, and, surprisingly, that change within me started altering the world both on the inside and outside.
I went from strength to strength, growing to love all my imperfections and finding more resiliency and confidence within me.
Amidst this newfound self-belief, life played its cruel trick. I found myself losing strength and hope.
My father who was my pillar of strength, the person who showed me unconditional love, showed me how to stand up for what is right and wrong, was diagnosed with cancer during my college years.
He had a dream, a vision for me that was bigger than my own vision and the sad reality which became even more poignant was, he never got to witness its fruition.
Soon, I found myself navigating the intricate world of marketing, finding a niche within a high-tech software company. A pinnacle of success? Perhaps. But was there more? Oh, so much more.
I owed it to my father to graduate from University and pursue a successful career. I did exactly that apart from one thing, starting a family.
Would someone with my “unique” looks find love? I have never even been in a relationship.
In, 2021 marked the inception of an unexpected chapter, it was a conversation that to this date has never stopped. My soulmate walked in to life, teaching me that love transcends superficialities.
And as for the story of how we met and silenced the doubters, it’s one for the ages.
One fateful evening, I was having a conversation with my wife. Fuelled by a mix of nostalgia, inspiration, resiliency and ambition, I decided to compress my life’s journey into a TikTok video.
It wasn’t just about NF1; it was about every hidden battle, every silent tear, every whisper of hope.
The world responded in empathy and love, with over 80,000 souls echoing back their inspirations and dreams. But what was it about that video that captivated so many people from across the world and from all walks of life?
Today, with a fire in my heart and countless stories up my sleeve, I stand poised to redefine perceptions, inspire, and motivate. I wish to be more than a beacon; I want to be a movement.
To not just narrate tales but to ignite flames of hope and resilience.
With every story I unravel, I promise a mix of inspiration, motivation, and an ounce of mystery. After all, life has taught me that every scar hides an untold story, and mine? It’s just beginning.
