I Was a Doctor, Then I Had a Stroke | Can Ask Meh?

At 24, Darren's stroke shattered his dreams of becoming a doctor, leaving him paralysed, blind, and unable to speak.
In this episode of Can Ask Meh, he shares how he got back on his feet and is journeying through life together as an interabled couple with his wife.
This episode is in collaboration with AIA. Protect yourself and your loved ones with AIA Ultimate Critical Cover at www.aia.com.sg/ucc
══ Content ══
0:00 Intro
0:40 What happened to your leg?
3:15 Do you hate your body?
5:55 Can you still lead a normal life?
10:00 Is it difficult to be married to me?
13:10 Are you happy with your life now?
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[@Ibekkeivv]

the fact that he even help justify the relatives...HE'S JUST A GOLD DESPITE EVERYTHING

[@JadeGem]

“Our identity is not in the job. Our identity is in the work that we do.” I had a stroke from a ruptured AVM and had to take over half a year to recover. I held two jobs as a pharmacist and had been struggling with the ideal to give up the second one (unprecedented stress during the pandemic). Then the event happened. Darren’s story is an inspiration and eerily familiar in some ways to what I had gone through. It had been a rollercoaster ride for me; I didn’t have any critical illness or long term disability insurance either. It was important for me to go back to work for the health benefits but I had questioned if I could do it. His words of taking time off to recalibrate resonates with me hard. I was able to return to my main job 10 months after the event. I never returned back to the other job. The physical healing from the stroke sucked but in some ways it was a much needed time out mentally to re-evaluate what I really needed/wanted in my life. I hope all stroke survivors are to find some good in the dark times as well :)

[@AfricanUSA-th9ov]

As A Pharmacist, You Don't Need 2 Jobs. I Am A Dialysis Technician For 20 Years. I Downsize And Living Below My Means, Moved To Good Area And Bought The Smallest House And Paid Off My Mortgage And Car And Credit Cards. I Will Be 50 Years Old In June 19th 2024. My Only Child Is In Her 3rd Years Of Nursing Degree.

[@JadeGem]

@@AfricanUSA-th9ov there was an over saturation of pharmacists pre-pandemic in the US so getting a job in a hospital (generally better work environment) was very competitive. I was only part time there until a full time job opened up in the middle of the pandemic. That second job was needed for a full time salary at least. I held on to it even when I had was promoted to full job at my main job because I felt I had a duty to the patients there. Plus, being from Asian immigrants, there’s always a push to do more. And student loans, of course. It was an internal struggle I had towards the end when I would put in my resignation; life/the stroke really decided for me when that would be 😅

[@drjennyli]

Met Dr Darren back in 2018 when we were both in this business networking . Remarkable human being. So glad to see him here to share his story.

[@sharontham11116]

At 24 years old,stricken with stroke is really very tough...made me cry...cos it was so very tough to be who he is today....he has a wonderful wife!!

[@joeyjoey22]

Can’t imagine what Darren went through at such a young age, his optimism and outlook is inspiring. Lovely couple ❤

[@hongsamwine]

Thank you Darren, for reminding me that happiness is still within reach. I was diagnosed with a bunch of chronic illnesses in my 20s. I just turned 30 this year and the last 10 years had been so awfully difficult. I go to bed in pain and I wake up in pain. I’ve always been ambitious and quite high achieving. It’s so difficult seeing my peers reaching milestones whilst I’m struggling with having to restart from square one time and again. There’s been so many times where I really wanted to just give up. I felt hopeless. And I will probably continue to encounter many obstacles ahead. But Darren showed me that I can still be happy, and I can still be worthy for someone to love me for who I am. I guess the first step is to stop seeing myself as a burden and accepting that I have a different trajectory from most of my peers.

[@dairu2709]

remember that the many times you picked yourself up, you have been proving your innate strength! Happiness will always be within your reach, you have been doing an incredible job!

[@sushisin377]

You have to love yourself and accept whatever situation happen to you. Then you can move on and challenge yourself. Don't bother others opinions. Just do it.

[@mycooltube1912]

In a similar situation 🤝let's keep going

[@Findingsunshiness]

In same situation, got illness from 21 n last ten yrs was beyond awful n painful. Prime of my life flew by and I am just nowhere near quality of life I had before. Trying to stay positive is a constant struggle.

[@OGS.Official]

I’m sorry to hear what you have been through. It must have been a struggle for you but I hope that you eventually find the closure you need ❤ - Pei Fang

[@ajunthaanwari6177]

This man is the diamond, shining bright like a beacon. Thank you for this video.

[@crispyguava]

She’s pretty and he has a heart of gold … God bless them both 🌹

[@rzyq681]

i just want to give him a hug

[@jenu_charles]

From the conversation here; Darren is v nice hubby! Kudos! We celebrate you as a person, Darren 👍🏻 God bless!

[@tootsie88]

An Amazing Man and a Beautiful wife....All the best to the both of you. An inspiring couple. Thank you.

[@nilotravels]

What a beautiful couple ❤ wish them both a beautiful life together

[@myrnabuenavista4327]

I'm a stroke myself for more than 2 years and yeah it's really hard. It's nice to have someone around who understand and would walk a mile or even ahead for you...

[@gio4925]

Me too. When did you have stroke? Right side or left side? Maybe we could connect?

[@isaiahjoshc]

Both of you are an inspiration, Darren and Joelle! May God continue to bless your marriage and keep you both healthy.

[@Ibekkeivv]

this was so hard to watch, im in pain and I feel so bad that you have to suffered through all this. I really admire your strength! thank you. i love the quote: your identity is not in your job, but in the work you do

[@bkai7777]

Darren is such an amazing person. To overcome his own challenges is really remarkable!

[@WWK186]

Treasure the people who love you and not take them for granted. Relationships require a delicate balance of give and take. My blessings to you.

[@corazonong132]

Words won't be enough to tell you how beautiful and wonderful person you are -- being upbeat about what you went through and that sheer power of will to live life to the fullest. An inspiration for us

[@pppppppao]

What an inspiring story, thank you for sharing. I hope Darren and Joelle continue to live a fruitful, happy and long life.

[@teedee1170]

Beautiful outlook to look…Beautiful relationship… beautiful wife.

[@iantan4143]

So inspiring and so happy for Dr Darren - and his wife, they both look so happy together ❤

[@marc4grace]

Thank you for sharing your beautifully encouraging and empowering story, Darren and Joelle.

[@apricotgem]

Thank you for this inspirational story of Darren and how he pushes through his physical challenges despite being a stroke survivor. ❤

[@fodizi-sq4jq]

Cheers to you guys. Really an inspiring life story; I wish you both a lifetime of happiness!

[@user-jo2xe5uf4h]

I really apprecaite the candidness of this conversation. Very inspiring and comforting.

[@missymochi9]

Very inspiring, Darren! Here's wishing you and Joelle happiness and many more ❤

[@jksgf4ever]

Such a beautiful couple 🥰 so inspiring and this brought such a nice and positive message to viewers 👍🏼

[@jingyingoo8863]

Both of you are amazing, giving us with so much strength and positive energy after watching this ❤

[@z.zaimie1406]

Darren is such an inspiration..thank u for sharing ur story here...Salute you sir

[@hemjoo]

Hope you will continue to inspire others with your optimism, strength and joy. Darren, you have come a long way! God bless.

[@gilbertchua2990]

Love you guys Dr Darren & Joelle! Stay so loving guys!

[@janeyeo3389]

You 2 have so much positive vibe and energy with each other and this is the ultimate most impt as a couple!❤ Envy!!👍 🎉

[@sunoosmintchoco3547]

aww such an inspiring and sweet story🥺so touched❤ all the best for them both !!!

[@nashuabale94]

Thank you Darren & partner for sharing your story! OGS too, did a remarkable job with this video. Very moving and I am thoroughly inspired by Darren. Darren is really the embodiment of DARING! (pun intended) Kudos to his partner for being such an amazing pillar of support to him

[@reginachua129]

Thank you for sharing and inspire Darren, thank you

[@user-pc4wb6md6p]

True love!! God bless u both, u r so so blessed, it's rare these day to find couple like u, many ppl take marriage vows like children playing masak masak, respect to u both!!❤❤

[@vskleong]

Very inspiring Darren

[@PureHealth_com]

Hope everyone watching the video gets a lot of value

[@user-mg7fz7ju2w]

Amazing, thank you for being authentic. May you both enjoy each other for the rest of your life together

[@ngwei2255]

we really gt to tk care of ourselves do not over stress ...our health is crucial. Last nov and dec I wk 12 hrs a day due to my Colleague was on HL. since Jan this year till nw i been falling sick. Tat y we must tk care of ourself. I knw is nt easy but health is wealth.

[@gio4925]

I am a stroke patient too and very impressed by your video. You are so cheerful. Praise the Lord!

[@jianoob]

really heart warming to hear Darren's story. Even though I never had a physical impairment, I understand what it's like to be in the gutter and have that hopeless feeling like it's never going to end. Looking back, it's always easy to tell myself that the tough times were over and I made it through, but at the exact moment when you're in the gutters with no visible light ahead, it's extremely hard to tell yourself to stay strong and keep moving on. I commend Darren's heart of gold for pushing through everything that has been thrown at him.

[@sekars9724]

so moving. so heartwarming. so much lessons from both of you. thank you.

[@icilike]

Thank you both for sharing your story frankly and being an inspiration. God bless

[@meiahani2920]

this is beautiful!! this is what a real relationship looks like

[@andymelbourne9285]

Thank you guys for sharing this. Truly appreciate it. I learn ALOT 🙏🙏🙏

[@noelstaar]

The couple is very genuine and that makes this very interesting to watch. People not from Singapore dont know about Dr. Chua so it might have helped to introduce what he has accomplished as part of the video

[@fernemcallister6774]

I can’t imagine being in that circumstance at such a young age, especially when you worked so hard to become a physician. God bless you.

[@kjlim3170]

Thank you for sharing your story

[@emilychu6758]

This made me cry happy tears!! Wonderful humans!! ❤❤

[@Aljobritt]

What an inspiration you both are!!! Thank you for the video!

[@ivykim1781]

Such an Inspiring couple I wish them both All The Best Always 🙏

[@cassidygan159]

Your outlook in life is so awesome. Staying so strong, so positive and having the great support from your caring wife and keep believing in yourself and God.

[@beetiang88]

Truly inspiring ❤

[@user-of7uz9vt4t]

May all blessings be upon both of you and wish you both happiness and good health. Enjoy many wonderful years ahead ❤

[@onghc5892]

Thanks for sharing your story. Both of you are a good example for us. A wonderful wife, also wonderful husband ❤️

[@EYee633]

Lovely couple, Stay happy n healthy always, God bless them ❤❤

[@san45myinttun]

like his positive mindset, no matter what happen you gotta think positive

[@mlm1819]

"The physical impairment doesn't define who I am" -Darren There is a certain peace and acceptance from Darren. Can't imagine the work to get to this point. And what a sweet relationship these two have❤

[@Integrityisrare]

Happy to both of you. God bless.

[@bbb3rry]

Such an inspiration 🙏🏻 🙏🏻🙏🏻 Do they have public social media accounts?

[@asdfvan]

Was in his tuition school when I was sec 1 and that was in 2011! Still as inspiring as always!!

[@nasheemashahbazi6055]

Just amazing 👏

[@christinaliau9527]

Such an inspirational

[@kimchiba4570]

Wishing you both eternal happiness and wish you full recovery ..dun lose hope !

[@AA-cm3pd]

What an amazing man

[@companymann]

Thank u. I needed this

[@mathildama7011]

Both have beautiful spirits❤

[@JayJay-gr3rp]

Such a beautiful couple!

[@ahpat1]

Inspiring couple.

[@jonathanputrahartono4774]

thank you for sharing

[@sraa2468]

Wow such a luvly couple❤❤❤stay beautiful❤🤜🤜

[@CapDingo1975]

The world needs more positive people like Darren. People who say can rather than cannot!

[@jingmok]

What a beautiful wife paired with a hero

[@sinthailim7558]

Inspirational

[@Ibekkeivv]

LITERALLY IF HE WANTED TO, HE WOULD HAVE DONE IT

[@mfranck1]

Beautiful people. So nice. ❤❤

[@debradowning383]

You are both such a beautiful. May you be blessed all your life ❤❤

[@Dandelion_flight]

Such an adorable couple!!! 😂

[@GK-ef8em]

beautiful.

[@keeleongong8039]

True love

[@jasyn249]

what a lovely couple!

[@jacquilynbasa841]

beautiful couple ❤

[@davidlim3253]

Dr Darren, you are cool man!

[@CynthiaWang808]

what a sweet couple.

[@purplepotato8849]

Those relatives are something else; what's the point of not RSVP-ing/ showing up to the wedding? You've just upset the couple for no reason, and they're going to get married anyway. Your objection means nothing, did you think they would call it off because of you or something? What is the point of "making your stance" in such a situation? Ridiculous.

[@AG-re5vw]

My father warned his sister-in-law not to marry a certain man. He didn't think she loved him enough. She broke off her relationship with her fiance. Six months later, she had totally forgotten the guy, and found her husband-to-be, a much better match. They are still happily married with kids and grandkids. People should step in when they see issues. In this case, the marriage is wonderful and the guy is wonderful. But it isn't always so.

[@SuperValue350]

@@AG-re5vw Your father is a freak

[@myrnastovel3283]

overcoming great obstacles is possible

[@lilyhusni3395]

cia yooo For Darren & wife

[@nancymburu3434]

Very positive couple....my age mates....❤and blessings from +254

[@myrnabuenavista4327]

Left side Jan. 2022, i was sleeping when i had stroke, ischemic

[@user-er5qn3pm3i]

Watching this it reminded me of my aunt who suffered a stroke in 2020 we were at a wake for my great grandmother and my aunt was in the toilet with her husband at that time I didn’t know what had happened to her so I was really frustrated with her and when she was down I grunted loudly and I showed my anger at her but after I asked my bro why she took so long my brother had told me she had suffered a stroke recently and I asked what was a stroke when I found out the whole story I broke down and gave her a hug and apologised

[@Tonytayloring]

So, that enough to uhhh.. trigger you? For taking so long in the toilet? lol

[@MalcolmWong]

That’s Darren’s prize.. his wife as pillar

[@alanho1555]

Do not burn the midnight oil for your studies. Lack of sleep can cause chronic disease. Try drinking green tea twice a week to detoxify your stress away.

[@freddytameo]

Mind over body

[@GordonPavilion]

❤❤

[@sayithowitis7777]

I WONDER HOW A 24 YEAR OLD HAD A STROKE....................SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING ALOT TO YOUNG FOLK THESE DAYS SADLY

[@unbelievable6220]

Research Shiruto & Aulora pants from BE International

[@KosongIce]

PFO?

[@lydiat5819]

Singaporeans cannot talk without the word "actually"

[@JMJ88-vw7sh]

God had a better plan for you.