Transforming Injury into Art: A Journey of Resilience

A knee injury transformed Dr. Beverly Low Yuen Wei’s life, shifting her from a physically active theatre director and lecturer to someone who needed support for even basic movements. Two years ago, during a Chinese martial arts training session, she heard a distinct “pop” while practicing jumping kicks. This moment marked the beginning of her struggle with torn ligaments in her knee, leading to profound changes in her physical capabilities and daily life.

For three decades, Dr. Low utilized her body as a means of expression, particularly in physical theatre, where movement communicates meaning. She also taught physical education, focusing on strength and bodily awareness. However, after her injury, everyday activities became daunting. Tasks that once felt effortless, like walking a mere 200 metres or navigating escalators, turned into significant challenges. In the aftermath of her injury, Dr. Low was reassigned from teaching physical education to a classroom role at a polytechnic, as she struggled to manage the physical demands of her previous position.

Striving to maintain a sense of normalcy, she avoided using a crutch, opting instead for a small piece of luggage for support as she navigated campus. Despite appearing fit, she faced an internal battle, grappling with a body that felt foreign. The contrast between her previous active lifestyle and her current limitations was stark.

Rebuilding Strength and Finding New Rhythms

Dr. Low’s path to recovery was gradual. After a year, she could walk and smile again, yet standing steadily on public transport remained a challenge. To cope with her invisible struggles, she applied for the “May I have a seat, please?” initiative, introduced by the Land Transport Authority in 2019, which supports commuters with hidden health conditions. While this program provided necessary assistance, it also highlighted the emotional toll of her injury—a stark shift from her prior independence.

As a Type A personality accustomed to meeting deadlines and juggling multiple commitments, Dr. Low had to adjust her pace. The shift was challenging; she missed deadlines for the first time in her life as she navigated her new reality. Instead of pushing through as she once would have, she learned to communicate her need for more time, often receiving extensions that reflected the understanding of her colleagues.

With her physiotherapist’s guidance, she began to reframe her relationship with pain. Dr. Low transitioned to working from a chair, leading to the creation of a seated movement workshop at The Listening Academy. This program invited participants to explore various forms of loss—not simply as obstacles to overcome, but as experiences to acknowledge through physical expression.

Inclusivity Through Adversity

Dr. Low’s experience of pain and limitation sparked a commitment to inclusivity in her artistic practice. In October 2023, she issued an open call for performers who were recovering from injuries or had limited mobility. The response highlighted a shared experience with five out of six participants dealing with knee or back pain. This led to choreography that embraced their realities rather than working against them.

Her projects have interconnected generations, from energetic 18-year-olds to inspiring 84-year-olds, offering a unique perspective on age and physical expression. Upcoming initiatives will focus on non-linear recovery, showcasing the often-overlooked elements of healing, such as setbacks and small victories. Dr. Low’s work now emphasizes honoring the complexities of recovery rather than striving for perfection.

Through her journey, Dr. Low has regained significant physical abilities, now able to jog 15 kilometres in under two hours, matching her pre-injury pace. She finds joy in the simple pleasures of running, appreciating the beauty around her while rediscovering the joy of movement.

Although still grappling with discomfort, she now approaches her coaching with a focus on allowing trainees to progress at their own pace. The experience of her knee injury, while deeply challenging, has instilled a greater awareness of the invisible struggles many face daily. Today, she reflects on her journey not with frustration but with a renewed purpose—creating performances that honor recovery, embrace inclusivity, and celebrate the resilience found in vulnerability.

Dr. Beverly Low Yuen Wei serves as an associate lecturer at Republic Polytechnic and the Singapore University of Social Sciences. She is also the artistic director of the Grain Performance & Research Lab, a collective focused on physical theatre.