It should have been the prime of his life. He had everything going for him – a successful career, meaningful relationships, the respect of his peers. All that was threatened when in one fell swoop, he found himself incapacitated by a stroke. Though the stroke rendered his right hand ‘non-functional’, sheer resilience and the power of rehabilitation enabled him to draw the illustrations in this book with that same hand. A Cry In The Dark is the powerful story of one man’s journey to rediscover and reclaim his voice, his dignity, and emerge stronger. The book is illustrated by Terence Ang. Terence shared his story with Radiance Leong, a TV veteran, educator and former Senior Copywriter with J Walter Thompson. Radiance holds an MA TESOL (Master of Arts, Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages) from University Of Nottingham, United Kingdom, founded The School House, a private pre-school, and has taught and trained teachers for pre-school teachers in Singapore and South East Asia.
BIOGRAPHY In August 2020, Terence Ang, then the director of digital marketing and e-commerce for a leading Singaporean electronics and home appliances company, confronted a shocking personal crisis. An unexpected stroke seized his independence and thrust him into a harsh, new reality.
His first book, A Cry in the Dark, embodies this transformative journey, capturing his initial confusion and struggle and culminating in a poignant display of resilience. His heartfelt depiction of the battle to regain normalcy amidst emotional turmoil and harsh realities drew significant recognition, including a speaking engagement at the World Stroke Congress 2022 and nominations for Best Illustrated Non-Fiction and Best Cover Design at the 2023 Singapore Book Awards.
In his second literary feat, Emerging from the Dark, Ang extends the narrative, weaving together the stirring stories of other stroke survivors with his own hand-drawn illustrations. The book presents an intimate tapestry of lives at different stages of stroke recovery, revealing tales of tremendous courage and resolve. These are not victims but fighters, individuals battling tenaciously to regain their daily lives, however altered their "new normal" might be. This enlightening book shifts perspectives on stroke recovery, emphasizing positive outlooks and a rejection of pity. It is a call to listen to these remarkable stories.
Through his inspiring personal journey and his continued work on his third book, Terence Ang's story stands as a symbol of hope, strength, and the transformative power of adversity. His work illuminates the often-silent struggles of stroke survivors, inspiring countless readers and serving as a beacon of resilience for all who face life's unpredictable challenges.
About the Author: Emerging from the Dark, has garnered a plethora of esteemed awards, including the illustrious Firebird Book Award for 2023, a top honor in the Non-Fiction category at the Hollywood Book Festival, Readers' Favorite International Book Award for Biography, the NYC Big Book Award for Inspiration, and a coveted prize in the Short Stories category of the Global Book Awards. In addition to these accolades, the work has been named as a finalist for an array of distinguished recognitions, such as the Book of the Year Awards in the True Story category, the Global Book Awards for Non-Fiction, the Paris Book Festival in the Biography/Autobiography section, and the transformational memoirs category at the BookFest Book Awards.
Once at the helm of digital marketing and e-commerce for a top-tier Singapore electronics and home appliances company, Terence Ang's life narrative is now an emblem of hope, strength, and the transformative potential of adversity. His work sheds light on the understated battles of stroke survivors, inspiring myriad readers and emerging as a beacon of resilience for anyone navigating life's unforeseen tribulations.
