From overcoming setbacks to designing solutions for others
“Living with left-sided hemiplegia means everyday tasks that others take for granted require immense focus and physical effort,” says Liu Yin Rui, recipient of the RP Character Award at the inaugural RP RISE Awards. “Frankly, every day is a tug-of-war with my physical limits.”
The RP RISE Awards celebrate the excellence and impact RP students create on their #GreaterMe journey.
At just nine years old, Yin Rui had major brain surgery after a stroke, which left him with left-sided hemiplegia. The condition affects motor skills on the left side of his body, as well as his memory.
Passionate about design and its power to do social good, he secured a place in RP's Diploma in Design for User Experience through the Early Admissions Exercise in 2024. But he had to defer his studies after being diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and spending a month in hospital.
Determined to make the most of his recovery, Yin Rui focused on rehabilitation, upskilling and giving back to the community. He volunteered with AWWA Community Integration Services (AWWA CIS) Makerspace on its 3D printing project, where he developed a modular urine bag hanger for wheelchairs. The device is now used to give wheelchair users greater comfort, convenience and practicality.
In 2025, he resumed his studies at RP's School of Technology for Arts, Media and Design (STA). His determination and hard work earned him two distinctions and a place on the Director's Roll of Honour. Physical limitations don't define a person's potential for growth or academic excellence.
Beyond the classroom, Yin Rui is an active member of RP's Maker IG and Youth Entrepreneurship IG, and took part in RP's Entrepreneurship Bootcamp. Learning from industry mentors and entrepreneurs gave him a practical view of innovation. It also reaffirmed his wish to build a social enterprise that supports the well-being of persons with disabilities, older adults, and their caregivers.
Congratulations to Yin Rui on receiving the RP Character Award.
Learn more about the RISE Awards and this year's recipients: www.rp.edu.sg/student/rise-awards/
Living with a physical disability, especially one as challenging as left-sided hemiplegia, often demands not only daily determination but also a keen sense of innovation and adaptability. Yin Rui's journey is a powerful example of how personal challenges can be transformed into motivation for social good through design. I have learned that experiencing or closely witnessing disabilities encourages a deeper understanding of accessibility needs, which often are overlooked. Yin Rui's development of a modular urine bag hanger for wheelchairs highlights the importance of functional, user-centered solutions that improve quality of life for individuals with mobility impairments. Such innovations not only address practical needs but also restore dignity and independence. His active involvement in makerspace initiatives and entrepreneurship bootcamps reflects how interdisciplinary learning and community collaboration can empower individuals facing physical limitations. By engaging with industry mentors and embracing technology like 3D printing, Yin Rui exemplifies how creatives can leverage modern tools to solve real-world problems. This inspires me to think about how educational environments can be more inclusive and supportive for students with disabilities, encouraging not just academic success but also innovation aiming at societal benefits. Programs like the RP RISE Awards recognize and champion such impactful journeys, reminding us that success is multifaceted. In my experience, rehabilitation coupled with purposeful engagement in meaningful projects helps build confidence and skill, which is crucial for anyone facing health setbacks. Yin Rui's desire to build a social enterprise supporting persons with disabilities and caregivers is a noble goal that highlights the broader potential of design thinking to create systemic change. Ultimately, stories like Yin Rui's underscore the vital role empathy plays in design and entrepreneurship, motivating us all to create solutions that are inclusive, practical, and empowering for diverse communities.
