Part 2/9:
Sheldon’s recounting begins with a candid reflection on his first 50 years, marked by repeated failures. He humorously claims to have earned a PhD in failure, citing personal struggles such as two divorces, bankruptcy, joblessness, and homelessness—all before accepting his disability. His lowest point was when he found himself sleeping at Changi Beach in 2006-2007, devastated by the collapse of his marriage and lacking a support system.
His journey through these hardships was compounded by a lack of coping mechanisms, leading to a deep sense of despair. Sheldon emphasizes that society often views bankruptcy and failure negatively, but his experience shows that these judgments miss the deeper story of resilience and human fallibility.