KUCHING: A 59-year-old mother is appealing for public support as she struggles to care for her two adult sons, both of whom are battling debilitating health conditions.
Julia, who works as a cook at Puncak Borneo, reached out to Hope Place Kuching (Persatuan Kebajikan Harapan Kuching) prior to the recent Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration to seek assistance for her youngest son, Mohammad Syaaid Mohamad Ali Hanaffiah.
Syaaid, 34, has been wheelchair-bound since early 2024 following a drastic decline in his physical health.
He was first diagnosed with breakthrough seizures in 2019 and later confirmed to have both internal and external haemorrhoids.
According to Julia, her son is now extremely weak and prone to mysterious injuries.
“Even when he’s just lying down to rest, sometimes his arms will have purple bruises,” she said, adding that Syaaid also suffers from brittle bones and constant weight loss.
Due to his inability to keep down solid food, doctors have recommended specific milk supplements to sustain his nutrition.
The family’s struggles do not end with Syaaid. Julia’s other son, Syafiq, is still on a slow journey to recovery after suffering third-degree burns in a horrific accident three years ago.
The incident left him with damaged internal organs and recurring psychological trauma.
“Syafiq still has nightmares of his accident,” Julia said.
The household currently relies on Julia’s income and the part-time wages of her daughter, Nur Hidayah, who is a single mother to a nine-year-old.
However, Julia is set to retire next year, raising concerns about the family’s future financial stability.
While Syaaid receives a monthly allowance of RM500 from the Social Welfare Department (JKM), the amount is insufficient to cover the high cost of medical necessities.
In response to their plight, Hope Place is currently supporting the family by providing the necessary special milk supplements for both brothers.
The organisation is now calling on the public to contribute to their efforts to ensure the family receives consistent aid.
Members of the public who wish to donate can do so through the Maybank account 511289001160 under the name Persatuan Kebajikan Harapan Kuching.
Contributions can also be made via SPAY GLOBAL by accessing the QR code on the Hope Place Facebook page.
For further enquiries, Hope Place can be reached at 082-505987 or 013-5672775.
