my story
A beginning does not determine a destination.
Dino Isaac's story began far from the life he lives today. After experiencing instability during childhood, he spent much of his youth growing up in a children's home in Singapore.
Despite the challenges he faced, Dino went on to work as an emergency medical technician, became cabin crew with Singapore Airlines, travelled the world, worked in hospitality, and eventually found his voice as a content creator and public speaker.
After sharing his story online, Dino connected with thousands of people who saw themselves in his experiences. Today, he is working towards a future in social work while using his platform to speak about resilience, identity, childhood adversity, hope, education, and the importance of giving young people a second chance.
His work combines honesty, humour, vulnerability, and a strong belief that a person's beginning does not have to determine their destination.
chapters
An interactive timeline
Chapters from a life — in words and photographs.
Born in a bush
"This former flight attendant opens up about surviving trauma"
The CNA Today documentary introduced Dino's story to the nation: born in an open space along Gambas Avenue, raised in a children's home, and now speaking openly about survival, healing, and chasing a new dream.
Early years
Born in a forested area
Born in a forested area while his mother was homeless, Dino calls the circumstances of his birth "kind of cool" — like a scene from a movie.
Childhood
Raised in a children's home
Raised largely in a children's home under a protection order, Dino spent his early years moving between caretakers amid domestic violence and instability.
What he carried
"A child should never see what I saw"
"I still see them every day. I'm not gonna lie, it still affects me. I feel like a child should never see what I saw."
In the skies
Singapore Airlines cabin crew
Joining Singapore Airlines brought financial independence and a chance to see the world. His first flight to London felt surreal — a far cry from sleeping under a flyover with his mother as a child. "I was no longer starving."
Turning point
Leaving the airline, and asking for help
After leaving the airline and struggling with depression, Dino sought help and began therapy. A conversation with a social worker sparked a new ambition — to study social work and support others who had a childhood like his.
Now
"You can come through alive and thriving"
"Even with a crazy childhood like mine, you can come through alive and thriving" — a message for young people, and the heart of his memoir, The Jungle Boy.