The secret to happiness : Life as a chronically ill teenager | Tammie Ong | TEDxNTU

"“You may never get better”.
When Tammie Ong was told at age 17 that she had a condition which would require her to 'eat' through a tube, her life was never the same. In this talk, Tammie opens up about the struggles she's faced due to her multiple chronic illnesses, how she's managed to build a supportive online community and the reasons behind her zest for life. ""Live your life like there's no tomorrow,"" she says, ""because the truth is, tomorrow isn't guaranteed.""
" Tammie Ong, a 19-year-old student at Singapore Polytechnic, is a source of inspiration and strength despite facing multiple rare and chronic illnesses. Through her candid and heartfelt social media posts, she shares her personal journey, highlighting both the triumphs and challenges, aiming to encourage others to embrace life and cherish the little joys. Tammie's dedication to raising awareness for her conditions led her to create three successful fundraisers, raising an impressive $23k for various nonprofit organizations. Her ultimate mission is to promote acceptance and empowerment for individuals with medical devices, emphasizing that illnesses do not define us; rather, we possess boundless potential to make a positive impact on the world, equal to or even exceeding that of others without health challenges. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx