From a young age, William knew he was different. At 15, he was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, a hereditary condition that progressively weakens the muscles.
As his mobility declined, he had to rely on a wheelchair to move around. Unfortunately, living in a third-floor HDB flat without lift access had made his daily life a struggle. His father, Mr Eng, carried him up and down the stairs whenever he needed to leave home.
In December 2019, just before Covid-19 swept through Singapore, William's health took a drastic turn. He developed pneumonia and on Christmas Eve, a high fever and severe cough sent him to Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH). Doctors found his right lung congested, making it almost impossible for him to breathe. He spent 2.5 months in the hospital, but as Covid-19 surged, he was discharged earlier than expected – his recovery far from over.
Back home, William needed essential medical equipment: a hospital bed, suction machine, ventilator, oxygen concentrator, and a cough assist machine to clear his airways. The cost was overwhelming, but thanks to the generosity of our donors,
TTSH Community Fund provided the support he desperately needed.
The support from TTSH Community Fund has helped me lead a more meaningful life. I wouldn't have been able to leave the hospital without the medical equipment"
- William shares with gratitude