KUCHING: A mother’s determination to prepare her young son for life’s challenges despite losing a leg to diabetes has inspired many, highlighting resilience amid hardship.
Rose Khoo, 40, who lives with her husband and 10-year-old son at Tondong Road, recently received household assistance from Hope Place Kuching following her worsening condition.
“I taught my son to cook simple meals because I cannot move around like before. I want him to be independent and able to care for himself,” said Rose.
Rose underwent a leg amputation in April after complications from diabetes and spent a month at the hospital recovering from surgery before returning home.
She said doctors informed her that fitting a prosthetic limb would be challenging because the amputation was performed at the middle of her thigh instead of the knee joint.
Currently dependent on insulin treatment, Rose is learning to stand and move with one leg while applying for a disability card to ease her daily challenges.
Before her health deteriorated, Rose worked while living in Bintulu before relocating to Kuching, where her family hoped she could receive better medical treatment and support.
Her husband, Lawrence, 51, works as an electrician on a daily wage basis and now shoulders the family’s financial responsibilities while also caring for his wife.
Their only child, Daniel, a Primary Four pupil, has learned to cook rice, instant noodles, boil water and complete household chores under his mother’s patient guidance.
Lawrence now prepares the family’s main meals every day while helping Rose move around the house, ensuring she remains comfortable as she continues adapting to her disability.
Rose’s circumstances were brought to Hope Place’s attention by a social worker from Sarawak General Hospital, prompting the welfare organisation to extend immediate assistance to the family.
Hope Place is currently providing the family with essential food supplies and a wheelchair to help improve Rose’s mobility while easing the burden of their daily living expenses.
