SEEING mothers with children on motorbikes is normal.
Coming across mothers with a child with special needs is also fairly common.
But, watching a mother riding a motorbike with her special needs child while trying to make ends meet is sadly a reality. It is the ordeal of a food delivery rider netizens spotted recently.
Early this year, Malaysians were overwhelmed by a video gone viral – recorded by a TikTok user about a single mother who was seen delivering food via Food Panda with her five-year-old special-needs child strapped onto a carrier wrapped around her chest.
One could not imagine what the mother is going through.
The single mother was identified as Azimah Abd Rahim, 37, and from Kampung Haji Abdullah Hukum in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur.
On first impression, Azimah was dressed in sporty attire with a backpack, with her child clinging to her chest – demonstrating a ‘tough’ demeanour.
However, once she sat down and started talking, Azimah is revealed to be a soft-spoken person with concealed sorrows in her life.
Azimah's hardiness and stoicism are a front – for the sake of her only child, Nur Ainul Zahirah, who was born completely blind in both eyes, and for her six siblings and 64-year-old father.
Since childhood, Azimah has had a rough life. When she was an adolescent, her left eardrum ruptured making it difficult to hear.
Nevertheless, Azimah, the second eldest of seven children, was blessed with amazing parents. Her mother was her ‘confidant’ and pillar of strength, always giving her never-ending support.
Unfortunately, her mother, Noranin Kasman – whom she affectionately addressed as “Mamma” – passed away in 2019 due to hypertension, cholesterol, and diabetes complications. She was 63.
“Mamma, on her deathbed, left a piece of heartfelt advice that I’ll always take to heart. She said, ‘Dalam hidup kita mesti usaha sendiri selagi kita ada kekuatan dan kesabaran. Jangan bergantung kepada orang sangat [In this life, we have to rely on our own efforts for as long as we have the strength and perseverance to go on. We cannot rely on others so much],’” she told The Vibes.
Azimah had two children before Zahirah, but both children have sadly passed away. Her first was a stillbirth and the second died at nine months due to a lung infection.
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'Anak syurga'
According to Azimah, when Zahirah was born, not only was she blind with no chance of treatment, but doctors also diagnosed her as hyperactive.
“Being a single parent is difficult and raising a child with special needs is challenging. Because of her condition, I have trouble leaving her with nannies.
“There has yet to be anyone who can endure her antics… People just can’t stand looking after her,” Azimah explained in disappointment.
She further explained, that on one occasion when Zahirah was with the nanny, Azimah discovered bruises on the child.
She was uncertain whether the bruises were inflicted by somebody or caused by a fall. However, on questioning, the nanny insisted that Zahirah fell.
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In a separate incident with a different nanny, Azimah was duped into making full payment although the period rendered was not fully completed.
“Everything was smooth sailing for the first two weeks, but when the third week came, the nanny asked for full payment and vanished into thin air.
“She (the nanny) said something cropped up back in her ‘kampung’ hence she needed the RM400. I paid her and didn’t think much of it.
“The next thing I knew she avoided my phone calls and even blocked me on WhatsApp,” she said with disappointment in her eyes.
She made a police report on both occasions, but sadly, nothing came of it.
When asked about her feelings and reaction to such treatment, she answered:
“Di sini, di duniawi manusia yang menganiaya boleh lepas, tapi di akhirat kelak nanti, dia akan tetap kena menjawab, [Here, in this world, those who wrong us can escape, but in the heareafter, they will have to answer for their deeds]” she asserts.
Future stability
Although Azimah is still a rider with Food Panda, this has not stopped her from venturing into other income options.
For the past several months, Azimah has been taking orders for laksa – the spicy noodle dish.
However, currently, her laksa business has been put on hold. She is trying to get a place of her own where she can stock up on dry rations and have a proper kitchen to cook in large batches.
For the record, at present Azimah and Zahirah are living in Jalan Ipoh – a place rented for them by renowned Muslim preacher Ebit Irawan Ibrahim Lew, while awaiting a response from the government regarding the People's Housing Project (PPR), a low-cost public housing in the Bangsar area which she had applied for six years ago.
“In 2016 I applied for a PPR unit that is still ongoing. I am hoping it’ll be approved soon.
“I wish to have my own place that is close to my father in Kampung Haji Abdullah Hukum and has easy access to medical care for Zahirah, hence I applied for PPR Pantai Dalam.
“Apart from that, it will be convenient as Zahirah is expected to start preschool in Brickfields sometime soon,” she explained, reiterating that educating her child is a priority for her.
When asked what keeps her motivated in life, Azimah believes that it does not matter whether a mother is single by divorce or death of her husband, she should never think negatively of life, nor should she think less of herself.
Instead, a mother must channel her energy into taking care of her children by seeking ‘halal rezeki’ and never depend entirely on others.
"Being a single mother is double the work. Double the stress. Double the tears but definitely double the love that I will never regret,” she told. – The Vibes, May 8, 2022
Interested parties who are keen to order laksa may contact Azimah at 019-2409380
