Appreciation, Not A Mere Acknowledgment

Writing Debunk with Empathy has been a fulfilling endeavor, though filling this page proved unexpectedly challenging. Perhaps it’s because 'acknowledgments' translates to pengakuan in my mother tongue–a word that evokes images of confession and guilt. That might be why I lean toward penghargaan, a term in Malay literature that speaks to appreciation and honor.

Debunk with Empathy is the culmination of over three decades of growth, reflection, and missteps with my hati, each moment shaping my understanding of this ever-evolving journey we call life. This is my penghayatan hidup, and it feels only fair to thank everyone who has been part of it.

Before I begin, let me apologize for not being able to name each and every person. Please know that an absence here doesn’t reflect a lack of gratitude. If you’ve been part of my journey, whether through the good or the difficult, the marathon or the sprint–thank you.

• Mama and Ayah: I am honored to be your first-born, your first daughter. To witness your resilience and growth, even in the face of hardship, is a privilege I hold close to my hati. Terima kasih pasal inda pernah putus berdoa untuk aku, Ma, Yah.

• My husband, Wan Farhan: Writing this book wouldn’t have been possible without you as my backbone, my sounding board, and my muse. Thank you for being the support every mother needs–from making sure I have my morning coffee to traveling with me for research–and for modeling that to our child.

• My son, Wan Fatih: Thank you for bringing so much meaning, fun, and sweetness into my life. People often wonder how I managed to write a book while raising a little one, but they don’t realize that I’m the one who wonders how I could do anything without the anticipation of hearing your sweet voice after school: “Mom, I got a surprise for you.”

• My brother, Swanz: Growing up with you has been a blessing. We’ve shared stories, lifted each other’s spirits, and tried out each other’s hobbies. Thanks for picking up my guitar and creating songs that kept me company through all those late nights working on this book. May more people see how talented you are.

• Uncle Mark, Auntie Angelina, Christine, Jeremy and family: Thank you for welcoming me so warmly when I first arrived as an undergraduate student, far from home. You did the same when I returned for my doctorate, and I’m deeply grateful for the countless ways you’ve made us feel at home.

• Nusantara community and allies: Regardless of the role you have played or your level of familiarity with Nusantara, thank you for supporting my journey in seeking knowledge and understanding of this region. In no order of contribution, a special mention goes to Dr. Layla Kwong, Dr. Art Reingold, Dr. Emma Fraser, Dr. Carly Strouse, Dr. Jennifer Lachance, Professor Sylvia Tiwon, Bapak Midiyanto, Janice Yoke, Huda Hamid, Amirul Azam, Rahman Hussin, Dr. Dian Mashari, Sarah Harris, Dr. Paul Hofmann, Dr. Imam Maulana, Ibu Laila Juari, Professor Dr. Harmy bin Mohamed Yusoff, Prof. Madya Dr. Intan Suhana Munira binti Mat Azmi, Dr. Intan Soliha Ibrahim, Dr. Mayyer Ling, Dr. Iznan Tarip, Dr. Nurul Hanis Ramzi, Dr. Lay-Ki Soon, Dr. Meisin Lee, Dr. May Lwin, Dr. Aliaa Romli, Ibnur Rashad, Akmal Fikri Omar, Sofia Lendahl, Ardan Giordjie, Ang Kian Guan, Gautam Venkatash, Rachelle Punsalan, Aadhiti Ghankota, Ashley Juan Qin Nee, and many more.

• Mentors, colleagues, friends, and all those who backed this vision: Your belief in me and this project has illuminated the path to making Debunk with Empathy a reality. While I cannot include every name here, each of you has left an indelible mark on this journey. In no order of contribution, a special mention goes to: Dr. Nuurrianti Jalli, Dr. John ​Swartzberg, Dr. Becky White, Dr. Michelle Larson, Melissa Kong, Dr. Albert Ko, Dr. Paul Gepts, Colonel (Rtd) Dr Haji Awang Mohd Hafizul bin Haji Awang Mohd Hassan, Lieutenant Colonel (Rtd) Mardiana binti Mohd Tuah, Captain Hj Nor Ariwwin bin Hj Mohd Ali, RBN, Lieutenant Colonel (Dr) Hajah Norinda binti Haji Tengah, Lieutenant Commander Muizz bin Hj Md Jaini, Major Haji Awang Mohammad Adi Asmawi bin Haji Awang Adanan, Major Afifah Hasanah binti Haji Ali Hassan, Major Raihana Samraa @ Lily binti Haji Abdul Rahman, Captain (U) Siti Nur'Aqidah binti Azmi, Lt, Nur 'Amalina binti Haji Awang Mohiddin, RBN, Captain (Dr) Syazirah binti Kuan, Dr. Syamimi Bakar, Dr. Yao Doe, Dr. Bhavya Joshi, Dr. Juan Carlos Bordes, Dr. Blake Erhardt-Ohren, Dr. Silvana Larrea Schiavon, Dr. Nadia Rojas, Dr. Mikail Aliyu, Dr. Solange Madriz, Dr. Brittany Campbell, Dr. Renee Clarke, Dr. Noël Ingram, Rasidah Daniel, Farah Zaidi, Izzah Ahmad, Nabilah Alias, Chwei Peng Tieng, Ng Mei Ping, Ayesha Salleh, Alia Aishah, Angie Ang, Kak Norizzah Arshad, Rick Jaffe, Janice Yoke Sim See, Kak Sakinah Alhabshi, Sarah Alhakimi, Kayla Rouse, Diana Choi, Jenny Giang-Griesser, Rongrong Wang, Hariyat Andargachew, Celeste Wong, Xiaohan Wu, Kimberly Vasquez, Erika Lee, Bassam Dourassi, Kate Graves, Francesca Lomotan, Darlin Sia, Mahirah Alias, Fatin Ariffin, Azimah Ashari, Nabilla Ariffin, Izzah Jo, Dr. Mouiri Siddique, Lyla Rayyan, Dr. Cordellia Nguyen, Dr. Yen Nguyen, Kak Najmiah Mukhtar, Iris Lin, Sofia Lendahl, Ibu Laili Hudaifiah, Bijin Huang, Wendy Hung, Hayatul Zaini, Florence Yapp, Kak Nabilah Taif, Syazwani Sarudin, Amirah Salamat, Nabila Massuni, Catherine Lim, Alisa Lau, Nora Jasni, Nabilah Ibrahim, Dr. Asmah Husaini, Auntie Yen Maeda, Auntie Phuong Lam, Auntie Angelina Chong, Christine Chong, Izzati Jasni, Denna Haizar, Dr. Purba Chatterjee, Felicia Poh, YB Queenie Chong, Hasnah Hassan & Associates, and many others whom I may not be able to list here.

• Everyone who has been super busy because of this book: Thank you for making this process feel achievable, even during the most challenging moments. Special thanks to Cassandra Caswell-Stirling (for helping me find my footing in the early days), Chrissy Wolfe (for sustaining me through the last stretch of the marathon), George Thorne (for believing in my campaign), Nikola Tikoski, Bojana Gigovska, and Gjorgji Pejkovski (for elevating the book's aesthetics), Eric Koester (for suggesting the title Debunk with Empathy in our very first call), and Jess Ong (for providing the all-around support one could only dream of).

• You, the reader: Thank you for walking this path with me. This book is for you, a companion on your own journey of empathy in difficult health conversations.