Mdm Latifah, 56 years old, has dedicated her life as a full-time caregiver to her wheelchair bound husband for 30 odd years. Mdm Latifah herself is suffering from arthritis and is on medication to ease her joint pains but through it all, she still endured her caregiving role for the sake of her husband. The role of being a caregiver was not only emotionally and physically taxing, but it also meant that it was almost impossible for Mdm Latifah to seek any employment opportunities to alleviate their financial condition. She expressed that she had experience of working as a McDonalds server previously, but her husband’s motorcycle accident meant that she had to give up her job.

 

Her life suddenly revolved around taking care of her husband 24/7, and this commitment meant that work wasn’t an option. It became difficult to carry on with day to day living especially when utility bills, grocery and housing fees became a pressing problem every day. On top of that, the couple’s medical bills have been snowballing as they both require medication for their conditions. Her children are not in touch and do not provide any financial support. The family has exhausted all their options and is currently trying to apply for financial aid from Social Service Office (SSO). The couple also told us that they often missed their medical appointments as their conditions prevent them from walking long distance. Taking taxi becomes the only mode of transportation for them to get to the hospital, but yet that option is one the couple cannot afford . Besides the financial burden that the family faced, the emotional strain has also taken a physical toll on Mdm Latifah’s health, but Mdm Latifah never laments about her predicament or blame her husband for their current situation. Instead, she tries to make do with whatever little they have.

 

“We have Maggie mee with egg for every meal” – That was what Mdm Latifah replied when we asked what the couple has for their meals. Their rented one room flat is sparse, with no basic furniture. She told us that she and her husband have every meal in bed because they lack a dining table and her arthritis makes it impossible to sit on the floor and have a meal. In addition, bags of clothes were everywhere as they could not afford to get a cupboard to store their clothes. With Hari Raya around the corner, Mdm Latifah hopes that donors can help furnish their house with basic furniture as they make do with the little they have. ROHI would like to raise S$580 a month for two months for groceries, furnishing and living expenses while she tries to reapply for aid from SSO.