All my life I had been attuned to the idea of relying on myself. Being the only child, my mother made great effort to cultivate this mindset in me. And for the most of my growing and schooling years, this fierce independence led me to make decisions that would help me experience life in its fullness. I knew I could successfully count on myself to figure things out.

I had always considered myself a girl with simple dreams – to work hard, do well in school, find internships that would set me up for success in a stable 9-5 career after graduation.

During the school term, I’d take on stints of part-time work like tutoring to sustain my living expenses. And just like any other university student, I had to seriously consider the potential career paths for my degree. Yet, every remote thought of prolonging my studies would equate to a heavier financial burden on my family. So, I shut the doors towards any paths that would hinder me from earning a full-time income after my studies.

All I had ever dearly wanted was to be truly financially independent. Ask the 19-year-old version of me and I’d tell you the sole reason for everything I’ve ever worked for – to finally be able to repay everything my parents have so abundantly provided for me. Charting my own goals wasn’t my priority, my priority was my family.

Until the age of 20, where I had received news that would gnaw at my heart, and
momentarily shake the confidence I’d held onto for as long as I knew.

It was the evening of a typical day in my 2 nd year of University. After an exhausting day of classes, I had finally returned home ready to rejuvenate for the evening. Little did I know that I’d be in for the most horrifying news of my life.

My dad, being the stoic man he is, blurted an unusual remark that would leave me puzzled for a moment.

“Grace, come sit down here with me and Mummy for a while.”
With sweaty hands and a nervous smile, I acknowledged him and did as he asked.

“Why leh? what happened?” I responded.

The subsequent seconds went on to feel longer than years. Memories of every scene still make me quiver even at the slightest recollection of it today. My mother’s face winced as she began breaking the news to me, her voice breaking with every syllable she uttered.

My mum eventually told me that she had been diagnosed with a medical condition. I could barely come to terms with or make sense of the situation. Life really has its way of springing rude surprises onto us huh?

At that point in time, I was mentally drained from late nights scouring the web for summer internships. But looking back, that was no match for the anxiety that came with this situation. This wasn’t anything we could have brace ourselves for.
Reality had still been cold and dark. My mum is the dearest person to me. And to describe that scene of her finding out about the necessary medical procedures as heart-wrenching is an understatement. I’d never seen my parents worried like this before.

Days turned into months of worrying about my mother’s state of health. How would my mother’s condition progress? Who would help us with all the medical bills? Many nights I’d cry myself to sleep, my stomach sinking at the uncertainty of the future.

At this point, I got acquainted with a close family friend whom my mum introduced as Aunty Eileen (not her real name). She had been handling our family’s insurance plans all these years. A silent warrior fighting for us behind the scenes.

She visited our home within days of hearing about my mother’s condition. Bottles of honey and fruits in one hand, and a wide smile on her face, Aunty Eileen’s presence instantly filled the home with love. Knowing the anxiety that gripped us, she patiently guided us through the technical processes (claims, treatment, etc.). How lucky were we to have had a warrior by our side, a supportive consultant that shone light in this season of darkness!

And just like that, something instantly clicked. Having felt the relief of our finances being well-planned for health emergencies, I knew this this setback was meant to show me the value of financial planning. Just when I thought I knew how to fight for independence to provide for my family at the cusp of my adulthood, life redirected me towards this calling.

Since then, I’ve set my sights on educating myself in finances and risk management. And in turn, to pay it forward and empower other lives in grasping how financial planning would be their safety net. I want to be like an Aunty Eileen to every person and every family I meet, to be a trustworthy guide and a shoulder to lean on.

I want to figure things out with every young adult, because growing up can feel scary and I understand the difference it makes to have someone assure you that things will be okay. To have someone tell you that no matter the obstacles in life, you’re fully capable of taking care of your loved ones.

These experiences motivate me to continually seek growth and be competent in my work.

Hand in hand, I will grow with you as we chart your life’s journey.