For years I have searched for a
good support system for my wife. Never easy to get! Doris’ mobility is becoming more and more
restricted as the arthritis condition that she is struggling with has
worsened. She can hardly walk- even from
one room to another. In Singapore, if you are less able-bodied, you will find
it very hard to get support.
If you get support, it is
difficult to secure SUSTAINABLE support.
Sadly, a lot of people/organizations adopt an “out of sight, out of mind
attitude”. One organization that is supposed to help people like my wife and
who did support us in the past have completely forgotten us and have instead imposed unnecessary and absurd means
testing on me. They used to visit Doris and I once a year and give us a roasted
chicken during Christmas. They used to clean up our house once every 3 months.
A few months ago, the staff handling support systems for people like my wife
told me that if I wanted to continue to receive this kind of support , I must
show all my bank books, show all my PUB Bills, , Telephone bills, etc.
Imagine just to get a chicken
once a year so that my wife and I can celebrate the joys of Christmas, I have
to show all my bank books.
My search continued, until I
found a church whose cells members are more than supportive. They clean up our house once a month, and then
take the trouble to buy Doris & I a meal.
Lions Befrienders have in them a
young Malaysian lady who will help to fetch Doris & I in her car. She holds
Doris’ arm and even lifts up her feet as she gets in the car. Then she fetches us home, and drops by the
food centre to allow me to buy our lunch. I asked this volunteer why she does
all these kind things. Her reply was
that it is part of the Malaysia culture to care for the elderly. I thank God for such people coming into our
lives.
It is never easy to get support,
but those that respond positively will be blessed cos’ God sees and hears
everything.
It can be disheartening when you
make calls to seek help, and no one
bothers to return calls. But I must continue to provide the support for my
wife. For she is a decent human being who needs love & support.
With the two books that I am now
producing, one of which is Doris’ 2nd novel, I will have to go from
church to church to sell the books, and I would need kind-hearted volunteers to help me. Cos’ Doris
cannot go because she is at heavy risks of falling.
Who will come alongside me? I
really don’t know. There are people who make promises , but will they be there
for us when we need them?
Raymond Anthony Fernando
No comments:
Post a Comment