Source: Featured image courtesy of Cassia Leong and Felicia Fun for MS News
For most people, a bruise or a cut is nothing more than a fleeting inconvenience.
But for Melvin Tan, 55, and Ng Kheng Chew, 27, it has been a lifelong reminder that their bodies work differently.
Both men live with haemophilia, a rare genetic condition that prevents blood from clotting properly.
And despite being from different generations, their stories echo with the same questions, fears, and ultimately, resilience.
Melvin, who is vice president of the Haemophilia Society of Singapore, was diagnosed as a toddler after his mother noticed unusual bruising on his tummy.
Back then, treatment options were limited and exhausting, according to Melvin.
“The hospital was almost my second home,” he shared. Simple bleeds meant long waits, delayed treatment, and prolonged pain.
For Kheng Chew, born decades later, treatment had improved, but the emotional challenge remained.
As a child, he loved running and playing like any other kid, but frequent injuries forced him to slow down.
“You start questioning yourself, why can’t I do this? Why can’t I do that?” he shared.
Why can’t I do the things that other boys my age can do?
Haemophilia is often described as an “invisible condition”, and it is not difficult to see why.
On the outside, both men appear healthy, but behind the scenes, their lives revolve around injections, careful planning, and the constant risk of internal bleeding.
Melvin recalled being bullied for appearing normal one day, only to come into school on crutches the next day.
“They didn’t know any better. It was difficult for them to understand how someone could look perfectly normal one day and end up on crutches the next,” Melvin recalled.
Kheng Chew also shared a similar experience where he was once asked if his injured arm was “fake” because he could still write with it.
“I mean, at the time, it was upsetting to hear, of course. But looking back, it really wasn’t that big of a deal,” Kheng Chew said.
Both now view these moments as a lack of awareness rather than malice.
Beyond the physical pain lies a deeper psychological toll on haemophilia patients.
“When you have your good days, you feel very normal. But on your bad days, you feel terrible and wonder, ‘Why me?’” Melvin said.
Growing up, he also felt guilt over treatment costs for his family.
“When I was younger, I didn’t think much about finances. But as I grew older, I realised that it wasn’t easy for my family, even though both my parents were working,” he told MS News.
For Kheng Chew, one of the toughest challenges was learning to inject himself with the medication.
Repeated failed attempts and the constant pain of needle jabs made him frustrated and demoralised. But ultimately, it built resilience.
“It was demoralising in some ways, but at the same time it strengthens you,” he said. ” I’m thankful that I came out on top of it.”
Travel is particularly challenging. Melvin shared with MS News how overseas trips are anything but straightforward.
Each time, he has to calculate how much medication to bring and ensure that it stays properly refrigerated throughout the journey.
Unlike most travellers, he carries a separate bag just for his medication, packed with ice packs to maintain its temperature.
The moment he reaches his destination, finding a working fridge becomes his top priority.
“If I can’t find a fridge, I panic,” he admitted.
Source: danielvfung on Canva for illustration purposes only
Melvin recalled a fall that he had suffered while in Hong Kong for a vacation. That may seem minor for most people, but it carries heavier consequences for someone with haemophilia.
A simple fall can trigger internal bleeding, especially in joints, leading to swelling and intense pain if not treated quickly.
“I had to rush to the local hospital’s A&E department to make sure I was okay,” Melvin recounted.
“It was quite a traumatic experience for me, and I think it was also very traumatic for my wife. It was quite an experience, but thankfully it all turned out okay,” he added.
Haemophilia also shapes future decisions. Kheng Chew worries about passing on the genetic condition, which makes starting a family a more complex decision.
“I keep thinking, should I have kids or should I not have kids? I don’t want to impose this on my child, but at the same time, I do want to have children,” Kheng Chew told MS News.