Rose makes her way around the house on her hands and knees next to Ajang.
MIRI: Rose Sulau Tugau, 55, is unable to walk due to severe back pain from spinal injury.
The only way she can move around her dilapidated house in Kampung Pasir, Lutong is to crawl on her hands and knees.
Despite her condition, she is the sole caregiver of her bedridden husband Ajang Janea, 59, who has terminal-stage brain cancer.
Their roles were once reversed because when Rose was hospitalised for three long months after back surgery in October 2013, it was Ajang who lovingly cared for her.
A year ago, he underwent a successful operation in Kuching which enabled him to regain mobility but a relapse of his cancer left him paralysed earlier this year.
To add insult to injury, their adopted son, who is married and working in Peninsular Malaysia, no longer picks up their calls.
Originally from Ulu Baram, they have no one else here as their relatives are poor and too far away.
The couple only receive a meagre RM200 in aid each month from the Welfare Department, which covers less than half their monthly expenses.
A generator set, bought when Ajang was still able to cut grass for a living, lies untouched at the back of the house as they cannot afford the fuel to run it for electricity.
Rose said she did appeal to the Welfare Department for more financial aid but was turned down.
“I was told that only one in the family is eligible and I was already a recipient,” she said when the Miri City Caring Society (MCCS) visited them recently.
She said Welfare Department staff do visit her regularly but this is mainly for rehabilitation via massage.
“Our wish is that the government can help us. Provide us with more financial assistance as we have no one to turn to. Also provide a lot for a PPRT (hardcore poor) house where it is easier for me to move and it is not so hard on my back,” Rose quietly pleaded.
Despite suffering from a host of health ailments including chronic respiratory tract infections, it is a constant battle for Rose to get to hospital appointments.
Each trip by taxi costs RM50 and she is scheduled to visit the specialist clinic twice a month.
“The doctor was angry when I failed to turn up for the appointment, but what can I do?” she sighed.
However, she has found a friend at the hospital who has taken pity on her.
“She helps me get my medicine by sending my medical report to the pharmacy.”
A Sidang Injil Borneo (SIB) pastor also helps occasionally to take her to the hospital.
During her hospital visits, she tries to get the neighbours to help bring Ajang food, but there was one occasion in August when he was left to fend for himself for the day until she returned at 3pm.
“I had to be at the hospital the whole day and our neighbours were busy and had to get their children from school and other obligations,” she recalled.
MCC committee member Lilyian Simon called on the government to reconsider increasing financial assistance for the couple.
“This is case of an OKU (disabled person) looking after another OKU in the family without anyone else to care for them, and the money will go a long way to lighten their burden,” she said.
“They are living alone and have no children to look after them. They need urgent help.”