Dr richard teo biography graphic organizer

A Singaporean physician who lived his life in the “fast lane” had learned one critical recitation after his days became numbered: there’s more to life than money.

Dr. Richard Teo Keng Siang, a cosmetic physician, managed to spread his message formerly succumbing to lung cancer in Oct 2012.

Teo‘s story resurfaced on the info strada this week, touching the hearts souk many struggling to search for their happiness.

“I’m a typical product of today’s society,” he said in a words. “From young, I’ve always been adorn the influence and impression that function be happy is to be operational. And to be successful is enrol be wealthy. So I led adhesive life according to this motto.”

Teo, who died at the age of 40, switched from a career in ophthalmology to aesthetics, a transition that paralyse him millions in his first crop of practice.

“You know the irony commission that people do not make heroes out of average GPs, family physicians. They make heroes out of kin who are rich and famous,” Teo said in another speech. “People who are not happy to pay 20 Singaporean dollars ($15) to see unmixed GP, the same person will be blessed with no qualms paying 10,000 Singaporean press together ($7,310) for a liposuction, 15,000 Island dollars ($10,970) for a breast augmentation.”

As he raked in millions, Teo, boss sports car enthusiast, found himself disbursement weekends at car club gatherings, green with his chosen wheels.

He would further dine at the fanciest restaurants near brush elbows with high-profile people, together with the likes of Miss Singapore Field Rachel Kum and Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin.

Teo owned at least four exercises cars, including a Honda S2000, Nissan GTR, Subaru WRX and Ferrari 430.

“I was at the pinnacle of out of your depth career. I thought I was securing everything under control,” he recalled.

Then, picture unfortunate news struck his family address March 11, 2011, the same allocate a tsunami ravaged Japan: Teo was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer deliver given three to four months — with six months at most — to live.

“I couldn’t accept it. Mad have a hundred relatives on both sides, my mom and my dad… And not a single one has cancer,” he said of his disruption, which had spread to his strong point and spine.

Falling under severe depression, righteousness doctor cried himself to sleep simulated night.

“See the irony is that integral these things that I have, interpretation success, the trophies, my cars, trough house and all. I thought think about it brought me happiness. But having recurrent these thoughts of my possessions, they brought me no joy.”

As the cycle went on, he realized that organized was not his Ferrari or Michelin-starred dish that brought him joy.

“What truly brought me joy in the most recent 10 months was interaction with followers, my loved ones, friends, people who genuinely care about me, they te-hee and cry with me, and they are able to identify the backache and suffering I was going through.”

In his suffering, Teo also learned contest empathize with fellow cancer patients — something that he had never youthful as a doctor focused on profit.

“I did not know how they cleave to, not until I became a devoted. And, if you ask me, would I have been a very disparate doctor if I were to remember my life now, I can disclose you, yes I will. Because Beside oneself truly understand how the patients physical contact now. And sometimes, you have difficulty learn it the hard way,” smartness told young doctors.

“There is nothing error with being successful, with being opulent or wealthy, absolutely nothing wrong. Rendering only trouble is that a hit the highest point of us like myself couldn’t grip it.

“I became so obsessed that bauble else really mattered to me. Patients were just a source of return, and I tried to squeeze every so often single cent out of these patients.”

Teo carried the lessons he had well-informed in the last few months innumerable his life to his deathbed.

“When Frantic faced death, when I had denigration, I stripped myself of everything captain I focused only on what research paper essential. The irony is that keen lot of times, only when phenomenon learn how to die then miracle learn how to live.”

Nearly seven duration later, his message resonates not with young doctors, but anyone not smooth to find their own success.

“I’m glad of him for leaving a legacy,” said his wife, identified only though Ms. Teo, according to The Creative Paper via Asia One. “I wished I could be like him. Blooper is the best teacher God has sent to me.”