Memoirs of a Tropical Island Girl
Numbers switch places and letters confuse Tammy when she's tired. She's probably dyslexic. Who knows? She was never diagnosed. No one ever suspected.
Hidden Struggles
Who could ever guess that the girl who topped the entire cohort year after year might have a learning disability!
From Memory to Fiction
When I first wrote Little Nonya Escapades, I intended to write a fictional story, using my own childhood memories as an initial draft.
A Personal Connection
The character of Tammy reflects some of my own experiences—the struggle with letters and numbers that nobody saw, the pressure to perform, the hidden challenges that shaped who I became.
More Than Just a Story
Little Nonya Escapades became more than fiction. It became a way to process my childhood, to celebrate the resilience of children who face hidden challenges, and to honor the experience of growing up as a Straits Born Chinese in Singapore.
Themes Explored
- Hidden learning differences
- Cultural identity
- Childhood resilience
- The pressure to succeed
- Finding your place in the world
Why It Matters
By sharing Tammy's story, I hope to encourage children (and adults) who struggle in ways others don't see. You're not alone. Your challenges don't define you. And sometimes, the greatest successes come from those who had to work hardest.
Read Little Nonya's Escapades and discover Tammy's world.