The image many of us have of a stroke patient is that of a person who walks with difficulty, one arm immobile with the fingers of that hand curled toward the chest. Their speech is slurred and they have a tendency to drool.

But what exactly happens when one gets a stroke? Young author Tracy Anne Ong was just beginning her law career in Cebu City when she had a stroke that affected her speech, eyesight, and ability to breathe and swallow. It would go on to weaken her left side and completely paralyze her right.

Ong was rushed to a hospital in Cebu before later being airlifted to Singapore where she underwent treatment and therapy.