SINGAPORE - Weekly cycling trips were something Patrick Heng looked forward to but these stopped when he suffered a stroke after one of those cycling sessions two years ago.
While taking a shower, he suddenly felt the right side of his body go numb. He was hospitalised for the next two months, an experience he described as the scariest he had been through.
"It was the worst experience, I didn't know what to do," said Heng, who works in the tenancy management department at the National Environment Agency.
"My right side is my stronger side, but it was incapable already. I didn't know what the future would be like."
Over the next four months, he learnt to walk again, first with a stick before eventually being able to venture out on his own again.
These days, the 55-year-old makes an effort to exercise daily, even if it is as simple as doing shoulder shrugs. His regimen includes clocking 10,000 steps daily and 60,000 on weekends, which also serves as training for his second The Straits Times Run on Sept 29.
He first participated last year, in the 5km Fun Run, and will do the 3.5km Fun Run this time.
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The Singapore National Stroke Association (SNSA) is holding its annual walk in October
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Date: Oct 12, 2019 (Saturday)
Time: 7am to 12pm
Venue: Catholic High School
Registration (from Aug 17): http://www.snsa.org.sg/steppingoutforstroke2019
Registration fees:
SNSA members who are stroke survivors: Free
Public - Early bird (Aug 17-Sept 6): $30 per pax. (Sept 7-Oct 12): $50 per pax. Group of 4: $100 per group
Categories: 400m for people with mobility issues, 3km, 4km
E-mail: contact@snsa.org.sg
He said: "I'm very keen to participate in such activities. The fun walk was something to pick myself up; it motivated me because I had to train for it and I became fitter."
Similar to last year, he will be taking part with his friends from the Singapore National Stroke Association, a support group for stroke survivors and caregivers.
He joined after a sharing session at an event two years ago and it was there where he found a group of people he could relate to.
He still requires therapy for his right hand, his throat is weak and he gets frequent headaches, but he refuses to let it get to him.
He urges other stroke patients to do the same, noting: "There will be ups and downs, it won't be easy.
"But don't give up, persevere, there's always a way out."
To register for the ST Run, go to www.straitstimesrun.com. The normal registration fees for the three categories are $70 (18.45km), $60 (10km) and $50 (3.5km), respectively. Participants of any past edition enjoy a Loyal Runner rate and need to pay only $58, $48 and $38, respectively.
OCBC cardholders and participants of the OCBC Cycle 2019, a partner of the ST Run, will enjoy 15 per cent off the normal rates.
All ST Run participants will receive goodie bags which will include a limited-edition New Balance "NB DRY" running top worth $49 and a limited-edition New Balance "NB DRY" finisher's T-shirt worth $49.
