STRONG MOTHER: (From right) Rafeah carries Indra accompanied by Jamilah at the Civic Centre.
SIBU: Six years ago, when Rafeah Sahar was 20 years old, she was expecting twins, but one of them died in her womb.
The other was delivered, but with life-threatening implications.
Six years had lapsed, but the surviving twin, Mohd Indra Putra, is still unable to walk and eat on his own.
He needs a feeding-tube.
Indra is also suffering from chronic diseases like lung problems, epilepsy, asthma, constipation and poor vision.
His mother is going through a dreadful ordeal daily having to take care of him and his two brothers, one aged eight years and the other one.
“When I was delivering him, I was told the chance of him surviving was 50-50.
“I was also told to be prepared for the eventuality that he would not be normal if he survived,” recalled Rafeah.
Indra was born three months premature, and had to stay in the hospital for about a month.
Rafeah said she had suspected something wrong when she did not feel any movements in her womb.
She went to a clinic near her home in Bawang Assan, but was told to go to the Lanang Polyclinic where she was referred to the Sibu Hospital.
Rafeah said she was overjoyed when the hospital told her she had twins in her womb, but the joy was short-lived when she was told one of the twins was lifeless.
A caesarean section was performed. The six years that followed had been a tumultuous time for her as her surviving son needed immense care.
In her difficult times, Rafeah met Jamilah Dollah, the secretary of the village security and development committee (JKKK) of Kampung Bahagia Jaya, and the latter soon became her best friend.
“Because of her, I’ve been receiving RM300 monthly welfare assistance.
“I’ve also been receiving donations from non-governmental organisations and public individuals.”
She said it was also through Jamilah that she was promised a house sponsored by some people from Kuala Lumpur
The house is currently under construction through the cooperative effort of the army.
“The house in Teku Road which I presently stay is rather run-down.”
Presently, Rafeah has to take Indra to the Agape Centre once a fortnight for physiotherapy and treatment.
She goes to the hospital once a fortnight to take Indra’s prescriptions.
She also buys for Indra a special kind of milk called ‘Pediasure milk’ which cost RM130 a tin.
“He needs three tins a month.”
Rafeah said she pitied her husband who had sacrificed much since Indra was born.
“He lost his job a few times because of his commitment to the family,” she said in between sobs.
She said her husband was the kind of person who would keep problems to himself.
“Presently, he is getting counseling to help him cope with the situation.”
Yesterday, Rafeah was at the Civic Centre to receive BR1M, an assistance she said would lighten her load a little bit.
Meanwhile, Jamilah said heard of Rafeah from her aunt.
“When I came to know of her hardships, I was determined to help her. I posted her plight on the Facebook and told friends about her.”