KUCHING: Hope Place has stepped in to assist a middle-aged husband struggling to care for his wife, who suffers from a rare genetic disorder.
Jacqueline Raban, 51, from Kampung Sinjok was diagnosed with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS), a rare disease that severely affected her physical and mental capacity.
Her condition worsened in 2023 when she started experiencing seizures, leading to dementia, muscle weakness and loss of speech.
She spends most of her days lying down, often making incoherent sounds and is unable to recognise her surroundings.
Her husband, Jeffrey Benggang, 58, a lorry driver, has significantly reduced his working hours to care for her, leaving her alone only for a few hours to earn a living.
Meanwhile, their only daughter, a college student in Batu Kawa, returns home on weekends to help her parents.
Jacqueline was previously on tube feeding but would frequently pull at the tube, injuring herself, so Jeffrey now feeds her by hand, providing special milk supplements and porridge.
At the same time, he also bathes her, changes her diapers and ensures her comfort daily.
Struggling as the family’s sole provider, Jeffrey expressed his exhaustion and uncertainty about the future.
“I do not know how long I can keep this up,” he told Hope Place.
Currently, the non-governmental organisation (NGO) supports the family with basic food aid and adult diapers while Jeffrey awaits approval for social welfare assistance.
Those wishing to contribute can reach Hope Place at 082-505 987 or 013-567 2775.
Donations are accepted via bank transfer to Maybank 5112 8900 1160, and receipts are available upon request.
More information can be found on their Facebook page, where a Sarawak Pay / S PAY GLOBAL QR code is available for donations.
