World Cerebral Palsy Day (6 October 2026): Royce’s Journey of Courage, Perseverance and Self-Belief
This World Cerebral Palsy Day, meet Royce, a 17-year-old who continues to push forward with determination, curiosity and a belief that challenges should never define what we can achieve.
Born prematurely and diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth, Royce has spastic diplegia, a form of cerebral palsy that affects his mobility. While everyday tasks can sometimes require more effort and leave him tired more easily than his peers, Royce has never allowed these challenges to hold him back.
Today, Royce is pursuing his studies at Tampines Meridian Junior College, where he continues to give his best in the demanding Junior College environment.
Royce first came to know about Club Rainbow (Singapore) in 2017, after his paediatrician at KK Women's and Children's Hospital recommended the organisation to his family. Since then, Club Rainbow has been part of Royce's journey, providing opportunities for him and his family to learn, connect and grow together.
For Royce's family, programmes such as outdoor activities have provided valuable opportunities to spend quality time together despite busy work schedules. Hands-on activities have also helped Royce develop practical skills while learning important values along the way. During a bread-making activity, for instance, handling a knife helped him practise his motor skills, while waiting for the bread to proof taught him patience.
Some experiences have also allowed Royce to explore his interests. At the Glider Workshop and Aerospace Tour at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Royce had the opportunity to learn more about aviation — an area he is deeply interested in. He thoroughly enjoyed the experience and was able to immerse himself in something that sparked his curiosity.
Another meaningful experience has been Camp Rainbow, Club Rainbow's medically-supervised 3D2N stay-in camp for children with chronic illnesses. Through the camp, Royce interacted with peers living with different medical conditions and gained a deeper understanding of the challenges they face in their daily lives.
The experience gave Royce a new perspective on his own journey. It helped him recognise the things he is fortunate to have and taught him to cherish each moment, while facing challenges with greater tenacity.
For Royce's family, seeing him persevere through challenges has been a source of pride. Being physically challenged means that certain tasks can take him more time and effort than they do for his peers. Moving around can also leave him tired easily. Yet, he continues to work hard and do his best, refusing to let these limitations determine what he can accomplish.
This determination is especially evident in his studies. Despite the demands of Junior College, Royce continues to juggle his academic commitments and strive towards his goals.
Outside of school, Royce enjoys playing mobile games, watching documentaries about aerospace and warships, and reading. His curiosity about the world around him reflects his desire to keep learning and exploring new possibilities.
Looking ahead, Royce hopes to enter university and, one day, inspire others not to let their challenges define their pursuits. He hopes to be a role model to those who may be facing their own adversities, showing them that determination and self-belief can help them move forward.
His family's hopes for him are simple yet meaningful: to always try his best, remain fit and healthy, stay positive, and become a guiding light for others when they encounter difficult moments.
And Royce has a message of his own for anyone who may be facing challenges:
“Never let your circumstances define the person you will become. Believe in yourself and do not give up!”
This World Cerebral Palsy Day, Royce's story reminds us that while circumstances may shape our journeys, they do not have to determine where those journeys lead. With courage, perseverance and the support of a caring community, every youth can continue to pursue what matters to them and look towards a future filled with possibilities.
World Cerebral Palsy Day is a worldwide movement where every year on October 6, millions of people come together to recognise, celebrate, and take action for the 50 million people living with Cerebral Palsy (CP). CP is the most common lifelong physical disability, and yet it remains one of the most underfunded and overlooked disability and global health issues. Many people living with CP also face many barriers – lack of access to healthcare and education, social exclusion and employment discrimination. World Cerebral Palsy Day aims to change that through recognition, inclusion, and action – it is a day to celebrate the achievements of the CP community, challenge barriers, and push for a more accessible, inclusive world.
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About Club Rainbow (Singapore)
Established in 1992, Club Rainbow (Singapore) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting children with chronic illnesses, many of whom have disabilities and special needs, and their families. Anchored in our commitment to empowering individuals to lead dignified lives and become active contributors to society, Club Rainbow delivers more than 30 critical programmes, services, and assistance schemes to support our children and their family members.
Website: https://www.clubrainbow.org/
Contact number: 6377 1789
Email: contact@clubrainbow.org
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