“Having a stroke is life-ending.”

“Only older people get strokes.”

These are just some common misconceptions about stroke survivors that third-year SIT Physiotherapy students Mohit Murli Khemlani and Liang Liwen hope to change.

“Stroke survivors are some of the strongest individuals I know, and many are working hard to attain their personal goals and live fulfilling lives. In my opinion, more can be done to raise awareness on stroke and celebrate the recovery progress of stroke survivors,” said Mohit, who is also President of the Singapore Physiotherapy Association (SPA) Student Council.

Liwen, Vice-President of the SPA Student Council, agreed: “As physiotherapy students aspiring to be physiotherapists, it’s easy to get lost in the sea of textbook knowledge, which can be a lot to remember at times.”

“Volunteering is therefore important for us to see the bigger picture and remember that we are helping real people, and what we do has a tangible and positive impact on their lives,” Liwen added.

Walking to Raise Awareness and Celebrate Resilience

Events like Stepping Out For Stroke (SOFS), an annual one- and two-kilometre walkathon organised by the Singapore National Stroke Association (SNSA) to celebrate the recovery of stroke survivors and raise more awareness about stroke, are great platforms for this. Mohit and Liwen have been volunteering at SOFS for the past two years, and they have found their experience a very meaningful one. Mohit shared that his fellow physiotherapy classmates were eager to participate in the recent SOFS walk in October 2023.

“It was heart-warming to cheer the stroke survivors on and walk with them to celebrate how far they’ve come on their recovery journey,” he said. “And for each stroke patient who recovers in any measure, it is certainly no small feat,” said Liwen. “Seeing everyone volunteering at the SOFS reminded me of the larger community of people caring for the stroke patients to help them recover.” The students were involved in hands-on activities like ushering, assisting, and cheering — all seemingly simple — but the experience left an indelible mark on both Mohit and Liwen.

“Seeing how the stroke survivors all wanted to complete the walk on their own and render extra help to those who needed it was meaningful for me,” said Mohit. “One or two kilometres may seem like a short distance to walk for most of us, but to them, being able to do so is a reminder of how far they have come in their recovery.”

SIT Physiotherapy students walked the mile at Stepping Out For Stroke (SOFS) to raise awareness for stroke survivors. (Photo: Kwah Li Khim)

Leading The Way for the Next Generation of Physiotherapists
As President and Vice-President of the SPA Student Council, Mohit and Liwen take their responsibilities very seriously and want to do all they can to help their peers realise their full potential as physiotherapists. To do so, they actively organise mentorship, job shadowing, professional development workshops, and volunteering opportunities for their community of fellow student physiotherapists.

“Our cohort is close-knit, and we look out for each other,” Mohit shared. “All that we learn in our classes is important, but these experiences that we gain outside the curriculum shapes our hearts and help our development as Singapore’s next generation of physiotherapists.”

Volunteer work is therefore crucial, in their opinion, to help physiotherapy students see the person behind the health condition. That stroke survivors are people with ambitions, hopes, and dreams, who have been struck by physical ailments which have affected their daily lives.

“When we volunteer and interact with the stroke patients in the community, it reminds us of the tangible differences we make in their lives and helps us be more empathetic. Our journey to becoming better physiotherapists begins here at SIT through various volunteer opportunities,” said Liwen with conviction.

SIT Physiotherapy students Mohit and Liwen. (Photo: Mohit Murli Khemlani )

Learning from Professors Who Walk the Talk

When asked what a highlight in their time at SIT has been so far, both Mohit and Liwen were unanimous in their response: their dedicated and inspiring professors.

“I have been really fortunate to have professors and lecturers who are extremely knowledgeable in their field, as well as deeply caring towards all their patients,” Mohit said.

Liwen is quick to agree. “Being taught by professors who see patients as unique individuals with hopes and dreams has been integral in shaping my perspective as a physiotherapist-in-training.”

One such professor is Associate Professor Kwah Li Khim, Director of Programmes, Health and Social Sciences Cluster, and also a committee member of the SNSA. A/Prof Kwah has been a volunteer for the past five years and counting. Why does she place such a deep emphasis on volunteer work for both herself and her students? It has to do with seeing the patients for who they are as individuals and not just case studies to be examined during lectures.

A/Professor Kwah Li Khim at this year’s SOFS. (Photo: Kwah Li Khim)

“Hopefully, with the greater awareness of stroke survivors these days, there can be even greater awareness of stroke in young people – highlighting their unmet needs and the unique challenges they face – to help them thrive in life post-stroke,” A/Prof Kwah said.