Sometimes, the most painful events in life can become the greatest drive for a person’s life passion.
Barely one week old, Singapore-born Laurentia Tan became seriously ill. When she was 10 months old, she was so floppy that her parents were told that she was a “vegetable”, a “retard”, a “spastic”, and she might never be able to walk.
“I was very floppy and unable to sit or walk, and doctors thought I might never walk and would need institutional care,” recalls Laurentia.
Thankfully, her determined parents did not heed the doctor’s advice—the family packed their bags and moved to the United Kingdom when Laurentia was only 3 years old.
It was only when they arrived in England that they realised Laurentia was diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP) and profound deafness.
To strengthen her core stability and muscles, as well as her confidence and self-esteem, Laurentia started horse riding as a form of physiotherapy at the age of 5.
The strong-willed and determined Laurentia was striving to do anything her able-bodied friends could do. She took part in various sports and even became a swimmer at the British Nationals.
And today, three decades later, Laurentia is Singapore’s best-known Paralympian, having won two bronze medals at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics, and a silver and a bronze at the 2012 London Games. She was elected Athlete Representative for Para Equestrian sports, and Solidarity Ambassador for the International Federation of Equestrian (FEI)—the only Asian amongst the eight accomplished riders who help the federation in its efforts to develop equestrian sports around the world.
Overcoming Adversity
To Laurentia, deafness is more of a barrier compared to her physical disabilities, as deafness is ‘invisible’ and many people do not realise she cannot hear. She is always extrapolating information and gets tired more easily, so people might not have the patience to converse with her.
So what motivates Laurentia to overcome adversity?
“It is our own perception, our attitudes, that are sometimes more limiting than what could be. With creativity, encouragement, support, hope and a leap of faith, anything can be possible,” she says.
She adds, “How do you know what you can or cannot do …until you try? Sometimes, all we have to do is believe in ourselves.”
Laurentia graduated from Oxford Brookes University, and received her Honours degree in Hospitality Management and Tourism from Florida International University on exchange. Through her volunteer work, she developed an interest in Mental Health and worked in a specialised mental health unit for a few years before leaving to train full time for the Paralympic Games in 2008.
“Our glorious moments are not in never failing, but in rising every time we fall,” she shares. “In other words, in life anything can happen and one has to try to manage the situation under those circumstances. Things may not go the way we want it to go and there will always be challenges… Shoot for the moon; even if you miss, you'll land among the stars!” advises Laurentia in this interview with Epoch Times.
