Mysara was admitted to hospital with a fever and seizures at the age of three. She was diagnosed with HSV encephalitis which left her paralyzed on her right and reliant on a feeding tube for some time. Through medication, speech and physiotherapy, Mysara made satisfactory progress, attended mainstream school and completed her Higher Nitec in Interactive Design. She has just completed her Diploma in Graphic Communication at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) and her final-year project was selected for NAFA’s annual “The Grad Expectations” show.

Encephalitis has been a significant challenge for Mysara as it affects her verbal communication ability. Even after 21 years, she is still learning to fully accept her condition. She continues to struggle with expressing herself clearly and this has sometimes made it hard to fully communicate with others.

Mysara has an older brother who is like her best friend—someone she can always rely on. Their relationship is built on shared memories, laughter and understanding. Her parents are incredibly special to her as they always had a strong relationship and she is grateful for their love, guidance and the way they have supported her through her challenges. While they may not always agree on everything, her parents’ wisdom and care have shaped who she is.

Mysara chose Graphic Communication as the discipline allowed her to express her thoughts and feelings through her work. With her speech impediment, verbal communication can be a challenge so design gives her a powerful way to share her ideas. Even then, she has faced challenges in verbally expressing her creative ideas and design concepts to her lecturers which has made her feel a little unsure or frustrated. However, her lecturers have been very supportive and understanding in giving her the opportunity to use written explanations, sketches or visuals to express her ideas. Their patience and encouragement have made a big difference in helping her to feel more confident and ensuring that her voice is heard through her work.

It is not just the support of her family and lecturers that have taught Mysara resilience and the importance of perseverance. There are moments of frustration but the condition has also shaped who she is. She continues to work on embracing it and learns to adapt through alternative ways to express herself. She sees the condition as part of who she is, rather than see it as a limitation and is determined not to let her condition define her abilities.

Her determination is also shown through her drive to improve her physical strength. As a child, she was paralysed on the right side of her body and was unable to use her right hand for some time. Determined not to let this get in the way, she learnt to use her left hand instead, thus she is now effectively ambidextrous. She has also worked hard to regain strength through regular gym sessions. She focuses on strength training and exercises that help in areas where she still notices a mild difference in strength. The gym is where she pushes herself to keep getting stronger, both physically and mentally.

Gym workouts are balanced by solitary moments at the beach to clear her mind and relax. The sound of the waves and the peaceful atmosphere help her to feel more grounded and to recharge emotionally.

Mysara has come a long way and believes that with the right mindset, she can overcome obstacles and achieve success, no matter what challenges she faces. What does she want to share with others with special needs? “Embrace your journey and believe in your abilities”.

We wish Mysara the best on her journey!

August 2025