Duchenne: Shalom's Lifelong Partner-in-Crime — Shalom Lim Ern Rong

Two days ago I marked the second anniversary of my relationship with my girlfriend, Amanda. As I celebrated this milestone, I found myself reflecting deeply on how much our lives have changed since we became a couple. Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), my lifelong companion, has undoubtedly influenced…

I recently had the opportunity to attend a Singaporean theater production titled “Supervision,” thanks to the SingHealth Patient Advocacy Network (SPAN). SPAN is a collective of patients and caregivers who provide feedback to improve healthcare here in Singapore. I’ve been part of it since 2022. The invitation to the play…

Tomorrow evening, my longtime caregiver, Glenda, will leave her job after 18 years and 10 months of faithfully serving our family here in Singapore. She’ll be returning to the Philippines to be reunited with her husband and three daughters, whom she hasn’t seen regularly for the past eight and a…

Two weeks ago, I stood on stage at the Fullerton Hotel Singapore to receive a Study U.K. Alumni Award for “exceptional efforts in driving inclusion and positive change in society.” The British high commissioner to Singapore handed me the award while my partner, Amanda, and my caregiver, Glenda, cheered me…

Despite the significant health challenges I face as a person living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, I’ve come to realize that creativity can thrive in the most unexpected places. One such place is social media. My girlfriend, Amanda Yip, and I recently embarked on a short-term project with Blind…

The Lunar New Year has always been a time of reflection and renewal for me. This year, though, it was bittersweet because my longtime caregiver plans to return to her home country in a few weeks. With her departure on the horizon, I scaled back visits to extended family during…

Rediscovering my creative self has been one of the most fulfilling yet challenging parts of my journey with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). A few weeks ago, I started an exciting adventure with Wildly Creative, a 14-week arts and wellness program run by the Singapore theater company Wild…

A few days ago, I watched the Netflix documentary “The Remarkable Life of Ibelin.” I wasn’t prepared for how deeply it would move me. The film follows Mats Steen, a young man from Norway who lived with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Online, he was known by the avatar…

Living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) has involved a series of challenges and triumphs, each shaping the person I am today. As 2025 approaches, I’m reflecting on that journey as well as imagining the path ahead — especially since the coming year includes a significant milestone for me. I’ll…

Last Saturday, I performed a monologue titled “Connection” at the Enabling Lives Festival here in Singapore. ART:DIS, a local nonprofit that uses the arts to support people with disabilities, organized the event as part of its BEYOND DIS:PLAY performing arts and theater mentorship program. The festival centered on a…

On Saturday, I presented at the Participation — Inclusion in Action Conference 2024, which was held in my home of Singapore for the first time. My physiotherapist at the National University Hospital, who’s also a disability and healthcare researcher and one of the event’s key organizers, invited me to…

Three weeks ago, my girlfriend, Amanda, and I embarked on a unique journey by co-founding Rebirth Ensemble (RE), an art-making business with a distinct purpose. This partnership is deeply rooted in our shared passion for visual art, which has been a source of joy but also a progressively tricky challenge…