Dr Edith MOK KWAN Ngan-hing, MH

Dr Edith MOK KWAN Ngan-hing, MH

Executive Committee Member, The Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation
DBA graduate

Have you ever imagined that just as your career reaches its peak, you suddenly suffer a stroke and become paralysed on one side of your body?

Who would have thought that after recovering from the serious illness, you would go on to complete a doctoral degree and embark on a second life dedicated to benefiting society?

Dr Edith Mok Kwan Ngan-hing, once a prominent figure in the information technology (IT) industry, was indeed taken aback by the sudden fall from grace. However, her remarkable life after making a miraculous recovery also surprised her. Confronted with a disabled body, Edith has chosen to embrace adversity, immerse herself in knowledge, and dedicate herself to helping others. Leveraging her expertise in IT, she has actively promoted the development of rehabilitation services in Hong Kong.

“I entered the workforce when I was 17 years old, and the first half of my life was filled with career success.” Edith spent 23 years at Dow Chemical, starting as an analyst and eventually rising to the position of Director of Information Systems and Communication Services for Asia Pacific. In this role, she managed computer systems across 14 countries and regions, making her the only woman in the leadership team. She later worked at the Information Technology Services Office of PolyU and AT&T Asia Pacific before becoming the first female IT Director at The Hong Kong Jockey Club. In 1996, Edith was listed among the Top 100 Women in Computing by McGraw Hill in the United States.

“But the second half of my life began with the white ceiling of a hospital room.”

At the age of 49, Edith experienced a severe stroke. A malformed blood vessel in her brain ruptured, resulting in paralysis on her right side, aphasia, and cognitive impairments. In the first year following the stroke, she found herself in a bewildered state, spending her days in a wheelchair, unable to speak. In the second year, she started attending a daytime rehabilitation centre and a self-help group, relearning how to stand, walk, speak, and think. Her cognitive abilities gradually recovered, but rehabilitation remained a gruelling process. With compromised physical coordination and logical thinking abilities, even completing half a page of written exercises felt like climbing a mountain for her.

Yet, this strong-willed woman was not one to be easily defeated. Edith persevered, enduring each training session with determination. Once she regained certain functional abilities, she visited homes and hospitals with her cane, offering love and care to fellow patients. She also took on part-time jobs: stuffing envelopes with other patients, working as a telephone operator, testing computer systems...

But the most impressive feat was her return to PolyU to complete her Doctor of Business Administration programme. “In three years, I devoured over 200 books. The process was incredibly challenging! Yet, what I gained wasn’t just a graduation certificate in 2003, but also the reawakening of my brain cells and the precious friendships with my classmates. At that time, nine classmates formed a transportation team, taking turns driving me to follow-up appointments at the hospital.” Edith cherished her time at PolyU very much.

Inspired by her own experiences, Edith became a volunteer at The Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation (HKSR), devoting herself to helping physically impaired individuals, those with chronic illnesses, and the elderly. She even utilised her IT expertise and management skills to make a difference. In 2010, Edith assumed the role of Vice-Chairperson of HKSR, promoting rehabilitation services for over 1.2 million beneficiaries. She also led the Accessible Transport Services and Digital Transformation Committees for more than a decade. “I contributed to the management of Rehabus as well, which transports over a million people each year.” At the same time, she has spared no effort in giving back to her alma mater, serving as a mentor at PolyU for many years, during which she developed her own counselling model that helped a lot of young people with their personal growth, academics, and careers.

Life has its ups and downs – who doesn’t yearn for a smooth journey? Having traversed the peaks and valleys, Edith gained a profound understanding of life. “I don’t consider myself extraordinary. I am truly grateful for every experience I’ve encountered, and for the transformation from being a ‘beneficiary’ to a ‘helper’. In the remaining years of my life, I will continue to inspire everyone around me.”

Publishing Date: March 2024