Liew Jun Sam (24S22)

Pursuing the A-levels after Surviving Brain Aneurysm and Stroke

17 April 2024 began as an ordinary school morning for Liew Jun Sam, a student from Jurong Pioneer Junior College (JPJC) — a routine day filled with lessons and the familiar rhythms of college life. But within moments, everything would change. During his Physical Education lesson, Jun Sam suddenly felt a sharp, pounding headache. He brushed it off as fatigue from studying late the night before. Determined to carry on, he continued the lesson. But as he walked away from the table tennis court with two friends, something terrifying happened — the left side of his body suddenly gave way. His legs collapsed beneath him. His arm would not respond. The world around him blurred as dizziness surged through his body. Within moments, he was drifting in and out of consciousness, unable to control his movements or form clear thoughts.

An ambulance was called immediately. What doctors later confirmed was shocking: Jun Sam had suffered an acute stroke caused by a brain aneurysm — a life-threatening condition rare among young adults his age. In a single morning, his life had been abruptly interrupted.

A Sudden Pause

Before the stroke, Jun Sam was deeply immersed in life at Jurong Pioneer Junior College. Beyond managing the rigour of the junior college academic curriculum, he was a House Captain and Student Councillor — roles that reflected his energy, commitment, and love for community. A natural team player who thrived on connection, he found purpose in leadership and joy in bringing people together.

One of his proudest moments was leading Orientation 2024 during Matriculation & Orientation (M&O). Standing in the concourse as the cheer war unfolded before him — the roar of voices, the synchronised movements, the electrifying atmosphere — he felt an overwhelming sense of pride.

“I was really wowed by the college spirit,” he recalls. Yet leadership was not without its challenges. Balancing heavy responsibilities alongside demanding academic work stretched him to his limits. He reflects candidly, “I struggled with managing people and workload.” Still, he embraced the challenge, never imagining how abruptly everything would soon change.

Then, in an instant, everything stopped. The stroke brought his life to a sudden halt. Jun Sam underwent a major brain surgery, and the hours that followed were filled with uncertainty. Doctors warned his parents to prepare for a long and difficult road ahead — he might remain unconscious for days, and even if he woke, regaining movement could take time. The future that once seemed so certain now hung in fragile balance. His family waited anxiously at his bedside, watching for any sign of response. Then, just two days after the surgery, something remarkable happened.

His fingers twitched. It was a small, almost imperceptible movement — but in that moment, it meant everything.

“I remember trying to hold a pen,” he recalls quietly. What might have seemed like a simple action became a powerful turning point — a moment of hope breaking through fear, and the first of many hard-won victories on his long journey back.

Starting Over

Discharged a month later, he watched from home as his peers continued preparing for the A-levels. He attempted to return to school in July but soon realised he was not ready. Although he regained the ability to walk within months, the cognitive effects were more difficult. Short-term memory loss and weakened logical processing made studying frustrating. With guidance and support from his parents and teachers, Jun Sam made the painful decision to defer his A-levels.

“At first, I was very sad. My friends were graduating,” he shares. For someone who drew strength from community, the isolation was especially hard.

Yet even during recovery, Jun Sam’s positivity shone through. He focused on small joys, picked up reading, and approached physiotherapy with calm determination. “I didn’t want the situation to define me,” he reflects.

Returning to school in the next year brought mixed emotions. “I was excited but very scared.” Entering a new cohort where friendships were already formed was daunting. On his first day back, he stood at the concourse watching his juniors set up for a CCA event, feeling like an outsider.

It took time to settle in. Shared interests — including a mobile game many classmates played — became conversation starters. Group projects encouraged interaction. Gradually, asking for help academically also became a way of rebuilding connections.

“Coming back to school helped my mental recovery,” he explains. “The brain is like a muscle — the more you use it, the stronger it becomes.”

Beyond the classroom, community once again became his anchor. Volunteering at Keat Hong Community Club led him to reconnect with juniors, some of whom later became part of his study group. Studying together provided motivation and accountability.

He credits much of his strength to the strong support system he had- his family, teachers and friends. “My parents’ confidence in me gives me the courage to make mistakes,” he says. He is also grateful to Ms Tan Zhi Ai, his House Master in J1, who guided him firmly yet compassionately. “She would scold me, but she would guide me. Through her, I dared to make more decisions.”

Looking Ahead

Once interested in signing on with the military, Jun Sam now finds himself drawn to Psychology and digital marketing — fields that explore how people think and connect. His advice to juniors is simple: “Make mistakes while you can. School is the trial ground. Enjoy, learn, and grow.”

For Jun Sam, returning to school was more than resuming his studies. It was about stepping back into a space that once felt unfamiliar and choosing courageously, to begin again.