With acceptance there is resilience

"In life and especially in caregiving journey, I have to move forward with resilience."

Nurni Binte Kamin, 45, reflects a life shaped by loss, responsibility and quiet resilience. But her journey into caregiving began far earlier than most. At just 16, her world shifted with the passing of her loving father. In the years that followed, grief became a familiar companion with her second heartbreak: the passing of her sister, who had shared the weight of their caregiving experience.

Overnight, Nurni found herself alone in responsibility, stepping into the role of primary caregiver for her mother. When her mother was diagnosed with vascular dementia in January 2025, the emotions were overwhelming for her, coupled with an unexpected sense of relief in finally understanding what her mother had been going through, but it did not make the journey easier.

She left her job, reshaped her life and learned to navigate daily challenges of unpredictable moods, difficult communication and the loneliness of making decisions without her sister by her side.

Nurni realised she could not walk the journey alone. Even before the diagnosis, when her mother began showing signs of emotional distress, she sought answers and found her way to Club HEAL’s Caregiver Support Network Community Outreach Team (CREST-CSN) in December 2024. There, she connected with other caregivers who understood her struggles and in their shared stories, she found not only guidance, but comfort and strength.

Nurni also discovered something powerful: acceptance.

“I acknowledge every situation that has happened in my life, no matter good or bad,” she reflects. “In life and especially in my caregiving journey, I have to move forward with resilience.”

Nurni’s journey stands as a testament that while life may fracture us, acceptance has the power to rebuild you stronger.

Click here for more information on Club HEAL’s Caregiver Support Network Community Outreach Team (CREST-CSN).

Other Stories

With hope, there is light

“They lit a spark in me, and I want to do the same for others.” To many of his friends and colleagues, Felix Avellino Philmone, or affectionately known as Lino, appears as a cheerful and friendly individual, always wearing a welcoming smile. Little do they realise that he has been grappling with depression since his early adolescence – even turning to self-harm as a means to express his inner pain. In 2016, Lino's life took a critical turn when he was diagnosed with a severe heart condition, and just as he was beginning to recover from this ordeal, he confronted yet another setback: the loss of his job a few months later. These successive hardships led him into the depths of depression, and in 2018, he reached a point of contemplating suicide. Seated precariously on the ledge of a high-floor HDB block, he contemplated ending his life. In that moment, he thought of his wife and saw the names of his children tattooed on his arms. This poignant reminder shook him to his core and made him realise that he needed help to persevere, not just for his own sake but for the well-being of his family. “My kids and my wife are my strength, and I did not want my pain to be transferred over to them. It was not fair,” he reflects. While he was initially apprehensive about the stigma associated with seeking professional help, Lino eventually did take that brave step. Over time, he made significant strides in his recovery, learning how to self-care and self-love. Drawing from his own experiences, he decided to channel his newfound strength into aiding others who were facing similar challenges. “The support I received was so amazing that I wanted to give back to society. They lit a spark in me, and I want to do the same for others.” Now at the age of 40, Lino serves as an Assistant Programme Coordinator for the Our HEALing Voice programme at Club HEAL, mentoring other individuals in their recovery journey. Click here for more information on Club HEAL’s Our HEALing Voice.