Your smallest contribution brings a greater value together with our other donors as we fundraise together in achieving our goal.
The Power of Determination & Motivation of a Stroke-Stricken Patient Changing the Odds for Her
Ratha after her first surgery
A few years ago, 28-year-old Ratha Renganathan suffered two strokes within months of each other. The second, a more severe stroke involved brain haemorrhage, and left the limbs on her right side paralysed, leaving her with loss of speech and memory following frequent seizures. She underwent four brain surgeries in total with doctors diagnosing her with lifelong paralysis and speech deficiency. Consequently, Ratha lost her job in Singapore and was forced to stay at home as she initiated her recovery journey.
Ratha in her art class, slowly relearning and getting more control of her movements.
Ratha was determined and with the aid of her sister, she managed to enrol in an art class and room started to shift her frustration towards art, her once loved hobby and subject in school. She started getting more control of her movements as she expressed her emotions through art, exploring with acrylic and oils on different mediums.
Ratha undergoing physiotherapy & speech therapy in her recovery journey even after being deemed paralyzed for life by doctors.
She had to re-learn ABC, train her left limbs to do what her right used to do, avoid stress, and find a new livelihood post stroke. Perhaps it was more frustrating was the fact that her body suddenly felt different and would not co-operate to execute desired movements. When diagnosed by doctors, Ratha chose not to accept her beat down fate and opted for physiotherapy, speech therapy and with the help of her supportive family, she soon re-gained her memory despite the odds.
Your smallest contribution brings a greater value together with our other donors as we fundraise together in achieving our goal.
Ratha receiving the ‘International Golden Art Award’ organized by Facebook.
In May 2015, she participated in an international event on Facebook and received the “International Golden Art Award” which boosted her self-confidence and motivated her in creating more art pieces. Five years down the road, Ratha has mastered herself with acrylic and oil painting and has successfully sold her art pieces. Ratha also run’s an art class for students and hopes to take in adult students as the economy recovers by next year. Her studio is based in her home where she lives with her mum and younger sibling
Ratha working on a XXX X XXX canvas painting for founder, S T Rubaneswaran.
When Ratha was first interviewed by THR Radio, she highlighted her interest and passion in opening an art-related business. A dream, which she only got to envision. As she began her recovery journey, Ratha was driven once again financially support herself. She applied for multiple jobs and tried to set up various small businesses only to be turned down as she was deemed a liability due to her still frequent seizures despite being put on medication.
Ratha running towards her goal medal for the 300M track event at the NASAM 2019 Stroke Games.
Ratha hopes before meeting us was to open an art sanctuary and feature her creations in exhibitions while inspiring stroke patients and survivors to pursue their recovery journey in confidence. Art aside, Ratha’s amazing recovery journey also saw her participating in the NASAM’s 2019 Stroke Games, snatching the goal medal in the women’s 300M track event.
Your smallest contribution brings a greater value together with our other donors as we fundraise together in achieving our goal.
You might be wondering why BEYOND4 has come together with Guocoland to drive this campaign.
We are inspired and attracted by determined people who are eager to accelerate & propel on their own. We identify potential and accelerate them to achieve their true potential. By driving this initiative, we hope to meet Ratha’s dreams and help her maneuver the post digital era with the help of training and technology to increase her visibility, share her story, motivate others as well as financially stabilize herself given that employment is still difficult for her due to her frequent seizures.
Canvas painting for BEYOND4 founder, S T Rubaneswaran.
Guocoland has also stepped in to sponsor Ratha an exhibition space at DC Mall where the general public can also continue to support this initiative by scanning
and donating to this initiative or personally reaching out to her for specific art pieces and online art classes starting from April 2022 onwards.
