Run over by truck, ex-flight steward back on his feet helping others

Published on 7 Jun 2017 2:00:37 PM

Desmond Lim, 41, was run over by a truck in a rural area of Thailand not once - but twice. Doctors said he would never walk again. But after 18 months in the hospital and seven operations, three years later, he is back on his feet.
About 2½ years after his accident, he started working for a firm selling prosthetics and came into contact with those who needed artificial limbs.

He realised that he could provide emotional support to patients as he, too, had suffered major trauma.
So Mr Lim suggested to SGH medical staff that it would be helpful to start a support group for trauma patients, such as those who survived traffic or industrial accidents.
Late last year, the hospital set up a trauma support group with a befriending service.
Volunteers in the group, like Mr Lim, share their experiences with other patients and encourage them.
The group is led by survivors and supported by hospital staff. It plans to organise informal gatherings for members and to train them to reach out to other survivors.