Poly grad with disability aims to soar higher after overcoming challenges

More than Grades

- Gabrielle Chan

From the age of 15 to 21, Mr Raphael Joshua lived in what he calls a "dark period of silence". Born with hydrocephalus, caused by excess fluid in the brain, he had three operations before he turned nine, the first when he was just two days old to insert a shunt to drain the fluid.

In those six years, he had given up on recovery and physiotherapy, weighed down by hopelessness and the question, "Why me?" Growing up, he battled lasting effects: weakness on his left side, limited dexterity, impaired vision and difficulty walking.

By the age of 15, after years of occupational therapy and rehabilitation, he felt defeated and was not as receptive to help. It was only in 2021 when a friend introduced him to books written by retired US Navy Seal and motivational speaker David Goggins that he found his spark again. In May 2025, Mr Joshua graduated from Temasek Polytechnic with a diploma in business. He received the Ngee Ann Kongsi Most Outstanding Overcomer Award, which recognises students with good academic achievements who have persevered in overcoming challenges.

The 24-year-old, who has an older brother, is now on the lookout for a job. His father works as a Grab driver and his mother is a senior patient service associate. He hopes to find work in marketing, business administration or sales.

One of his proudest achievements is being able to walk over 17km and do more than 1,000 assisted pull-ups. His long-term dream is to run an ultra marathon.