Born in a bush and raised in a shelter, former flight attendant opens up about surviving trauma
Born in a bush and raised in a shelter, this former flight attendant opens up about surviving trauma and chasing a new dream
Born in a forested area while his mother was homeless, Mr Dino Isaac, 29, calls the circumstances of his birth “kind of cool” – like a scene from a movie.
His birth certificate lists his place of birth as “Gambas Avenue, open space surrounded by bushes”.
Raised largely in a children’s home under a protection order, Mr Dino spent his early years moving between caretakers amid domestic violence and instability.
“Some things, I remember by the scars that I have on my body today. I still see them every day and I'm not gonna lie, it still affects me.”
At 22 he joined Singapore Airlines as a cabin crew member. Mr Dino found financial independence and a chance to see the world. "I was no longer starving. I could go to restaurants to eat. If I'm late, I can take a cab.”
After leaving the airline and struggling with depression, Mr Dino sought help and began therapy. A conversation with a social worker sparked a new ambition – to study social work and support others who had a childhood like his.
Now living with his mother who has Parkinson’s disease, activities like cooking with her has become part of Mr Dino’s healing.
