survivors learn to look and feel good again

First women-only make-up workshop helps them regain confidence through self-care

- Shermaine Ang

For Ms Sarasvathi Ramasamy, how she looked was the least of her concerns after having a stroke in February 2023.

She recounted the shock of the stroke and how the psychological struggle began when her condition had stabilised in hospital.

"I began to fight it mentally. It's just that one part of my life came to a standstill. I thought, I need to survive this."" On top of stopping work, she "drastically" changed her diet having oats for breakfast - gave her all in rehabilitation and saw a psychologist to help with her anxieties about recovery.

But beauty took on a new meaning for the 57-year-old after she attended a make-up workshop, held specially for stroke survivors, on Jan 31.

"Today's session revived my spirit because I didn't wear make-up for more than 10 months," she said, tearing up.

"That was very important for me. Being a woman, being welldressed and having proper care for the face brings a good impression for others." Ms Sarasvathi, who worked as a childcare teacher before her stroke, is still undergoing weekly active rehabilitation.

The first women-only make-up workshop by non-profit Stroke Support Station (S3) was held to help stroke survivors regain confidence through self-care.