Photographer Dennis Ong has always found life to be more educational outside of school. Describing his scholastic performance as being “just good enough to progress to the next stage,” he remembers his childhood as a fun time.
“My parents are very loving and supporting. They care for me and my disability a lot, constantly worrying if I am OK. They did not pressure me too hard into studying, so I had a lot of happy times as a child, learning things outside of school which gave me more exposure in life as I grew up.”
It was this extra-curricular exposure that led him to pursue his interest in wildlife photography. “It started out from my love for animals, especially tigers. I wanted to capture photos of animals that I saw in books and magazines, hence I went to the zoo. As time passed, I began to venture out into the wild.”
Dennis, who has complex motor tics (similar to Tourette’s syndrome), is unable to control his movements and finds it difficult to keep still. “Tension on the muscles causes awkward postures, which can be stressful and embarrassing if noticed by someone,” he said.
A merit award winner in the Singapore Young Photographer Award 2012, Dennis is entirely self taught. Gradually, he learned to make better photographs from books, magazines, experience, asking experts for advice and searching online for information. “As of now [the award] is my greatest achievement. Something that I am glad made my parents proud, because I wasn’t good academically,” he shares. “[I wish I had] time and financial freedom so that I could travel the world photographing wildlife, landscapes and the wonderful place we called Earth.”
Initially a solitary hobby he indulged in after school, photography became a way for Dennis to overcome the fear of others staring at him.
“My teachers and friends just treated me normally. But [my disability] affected my own mindset, thinking that people would judge me. It made me afraid to step out and socialise with strangers. But I have been learning to overcome the fear of people looking at me in certain ways.”
Despite these personal challenges, Dennis had a close-knit group of friends in school. “I had a few good friends whom I normally [hung out] with. I [used to] go play soccer after school during my secondary school days, [but] as I got older I [stuck] to photography during my free time.” These days, he is busy building his own brand, Dennis Ong Photography, where he is branching into wedding and lifestyle photoshoots.
Dealing with complex motor tics and worrying about others’ perceptions of him has made Dennis more empathic of people with disabilities (PWDs). “I began to appreciate life more from the bottom up. I respect how disabled people remain positive in life and go about their daily lives.”
This article is a part of our #AbleFamilies campaign in Singapore. Stay tuned for real life stories, advice and experiences from people who believe in and represent the potential of all kids. By now empowering the thousands of kids with disabilities in Singapore and supporting their parents and caregivers, we strengthen the next generation of citizens to promote a more inclusive Singapore.