In our Khmer language, Dara means Star. Like the light that shines amongst the darkness of the universe, he never lets life put him down. Not even when it gave him lemons at the tender age of 7 in the form of a virus, spiking an almost deadly fever, one that would change the course of his life.

I remember it like it was yesterday. I was barely 17, trying to finish high school and my parents were working hard to make ends meet. It was a dark and difficult time in our lives.  

One day, the fever spiked suddenly and by the time we got Dara to the hospital, it was too late. I remember stopping by the hospital to visit and my heart would break everytime I had to leave him alone. There was nothing worse than not knowing what was happening and not being able to do anything about it. And he was only seven. My mother and father did whatever they could to rotate in shifts to provide support, security and company. 

After weeks of medical tests and stay at the children’s hospital, he was finally diagnosed with General Dystonia, a condition that causes involuntary muscular contractions all over his body and limits his mobility. This meant that he would depend on others to help him walk, eat and perform basic functions of life maintenance that a normal abled person would not think twice of. 

The virus might have taken over his body but not his brilliant, creative mind or his optimism in life. He managed to finish his education, even going to mainstream high school from grade 11 onwards. 

Now at the age of twenty seven, Dara goes on daily adventures locally and nationally. Whether it is hanging at the beaches at Glenelg or visiting the buzzling city of Melbourne, he has managed to secure funding to create a  team of women and men capable of supporting his condition and helping him to reach his potential. It has given him a new lease on life and more independence. He even helps my mother in her community work by emailing important documents to the local council and governments. 

Life may have thrown Dara lemons, but instead of letting the sourness get to him, he decided to make the most of his life by making lemonade from it.

Not everyone wakes up with a big smile on their face, ready to take on the world but Dara does. His optimism coupled with his deep sense of gratitude and appreciation for life and those that support him, makes him truly a unique star amongst us.

He continues to be my inspiration. I am not sure where I would be if I was thrown the same type of lemons but like the star he is, I hope that his story inspires you to make the most of this moment and this day.

Did this story inspire you? Forward this to someone who may need a dose of inspiration or drop a message of encouragement to Dara.