In 2014, Linda Loprasert's life took a sudden and devastating turn when she began experiencing memory loss and hallucinations. At just 26 years old, she received life-altering news that would forever change the course of her career and personal life. Over the past eight years, Loprasert has been hired and fired a staggering fourteen times, including being let go from four jobs on her very first day.
Linda Loprasert's Devastating Diagnosis
Loprasert, a successful client service executive who had built her company's first CRM system, was flourishing in her career when she noticed something was wrong. Her memory began slipping, and she started experiencing frightening hallucinations. Alarmed, she visited her general practitioner, who immediately referred her for an MRI brain scan.
The scan revealed a large grey mass in her brain, and Loprasert was diagnosed with germinoma, a rare type of brain cancer. Germinomas primarily affect working memory, visual memory, and the brain's ability to process information. In Loprasert's case, the tumour was located near her hypothalamus, the part of the brain responsible for memory.
While the tumour's position made surgery too dangerous, Loprasert responded well to treatment. She underwent three rounds of chemotherapy and a month of radiation therapy, which successfully shrank the tumour. Although she was declared cancer-free, her life and cognitive abilities were forever changed.
Life After Treatment: Struggling to Rebuild
According to an interview with Metro, Loprasert's battle against cancer lasted 18 months. However, re-entering the workforce in 2015 proved to be much more difficult than she had anticipated. The lingering cognitive effects of her treatment, particularly her short-term memory issues, made it hard to function in a professional environment.
Despite her struggles, Loprasert chose not to disclose her diagnosis during job interviews, fearing it would harm her chances of being hired. Unfortunately, this decision backfired. Once on the job, her memory lapses became apparent, and within the first day at four different workplaces, she was fired. Over the next eight years, she would face termination from 14 jobs.
To cope, Loprasert devised a meticulous system to manage her memory issues. She carried a notebook to jot down every detail, and she created an elaborate filing system that spanned ten folders—each with monthly subfolders and daily Word documents detailing her tasks. Despite these efforts, her memory problems continued to affect her ability to maintain steady employment.
The Emotional and Professional Toll
Coming to terms with her cognitive limitations was a long and emotionally taxing journey for Loprasert. In her interview with Metro, she described how her memory issues not only cost her jobs but also strained her personal relationships. Accepting that her memory loss was permanent was both heartbreaking and liberating.
Now, with a clearer understanding of her abilities and a sense of peace, Loprasert has embraced a new chapter in her life. In August, she published a book titled Memory Fail, which chronicles her experiences living with memory loss after surviving brain cancer. "My purpose for publishing it is to show other brain cancer patients that they are not alone in their struggles," she explained.
Overcoming Adversity Through Entrepreneurship
In the wake of her health challenges and professional setbacks, Loprasert might consider pursuing entrepreneurship as an alternative to traditional employment. Many women facing challenges have found success by launching their own businesses, particularly in the post-pandemic era where remote work and online ventures have flourished.
One example is Kiana Gomes, who founded the Cocktail Bomb Shop. What started in her kitchen blossomed into a successful business, even appearing on Dragon's Den in 2022. Similarly, Dr. Shelly Nuruzzaman turned her maternity leave into an opportunity to launch BANG! Curry, a thriving business now partnered with companies like HelloFresh.
Another inspiring story is Lisa Fink's journey. After her husband lost his job, Fink, a middle school teacher, began creating educational games for children. Her online business, Think Tank Teacher, now generates a five-figure income and offers printable educational resources to thousands of customers worldwide.
These examples highlight how adversity can inspire entrepreneurial success, offering individuals like Loprasert the chance to take control of their professional lives. While her cognitive limitations may hinder her in traditional job roles, her determination and resilience could pave the way for new opportunities.
