My Boy, Joshua — My Miracle, My Testimony

Many of you might remember him — the O-Level legend featured on Mothership.

But to me, Joshua is much more than a headline. He is my miracle from God.

When I was pregnant with him, my water bag burst and there was no amniotic water left for hours. I felt no contractions. It became an emergency induction. Yet despite that fragile start, this boy grew up strong, swimming competitively from the age of four.

Last year, when the news came out that he scored a raw score of 8 points for O-Levels even though he was critically ill barely a month before exams, I saw comments calling him a “nerd”.

The truth?

My boy is far from a nerd.

If anything, he’s one of the most temperamental and stubborn children I’ve ever raised — born with intense emotions, sharp logic, and a mind that questions everything.

From preschool all the way to secondary school, I received complaints every year.

Not the typical naughty-boy complaints — but things like:

🔹 “He insists on putting his stationery back one by one before taking out his books.”

🔹 “He gets upset when answers don’t align with his understanding.”

🔹 “He challenges the teachers when brushed off.”

Some teachers labelled him as rude.

Some even told me maybe he has mild autism.

But as his mother, I simply saw a child who was highly sensitive, deeply logical, and still learning how to regulate emotions.

I spent years teaching him small truths like:

“Obeying your teacher is also to make your own life easier.”

And slowly… he understood.

As he grew older, especially when he became active in church, something shifted. He matured. He softened. He found purpose — and peace.

People are surprised when I say this, but I’ve never been the mother who attends parent-teacher meetings unless it’s something serious.

Academically, my kids are independent.

Behaviour wise, as long as nothing major, I trust them.

It’s been a year since that terrifying day I had to drag him into the car and rush him to A&E. Only recently did I gather the courage to watch the hospital videos again. Watching them reminded me of one thing:

✨ We pulled through by God’s grace alone.

Nothing else can explain it.

Today, when I look at him — strong, grounded, and finding his own path — I’m reminded that children like Joshua don’t fit into neat boxes. They’re born different. Born with fire. Born with purpose.

And I’m grateful that I get to be his mother.