KUALA LUMPUR – Vimal Raj enjoys time alone by himself to focus on his drawings and colouring.
When not making art, he enjoys Tamil movies starring popular Indian actor Vijay.
“I like Vijay because he is good-looking and his action scenes are superb,” Vimal told The Vibes.
While Vimal, who will turn 18 this December, sounds like a typical teenager, he has lost his left arm, right leg, as well as the toes and soles of his left foot.
His father, Krishnasamy, 47, alleges that his son’s condition is the result of negligence and indifference by the doctors that treated him.
Vimal was taken to Ampang Hospital after an allergic reaction appeared on his genitals in 2019.
His subsequent visits and admissions to the hospital resulted in him lapsing into a coma, alleged incorrect diagnosis by doctors and the amputation of three of his limbs.
Doctors had also told his parents that their son either had HIV, cancer or tuberculosis.
It was alleged that the hospital also informed Vimal’s teachers and classmates of its HIV suspicion.
“The doctor is not supposed to tell that to others, only the parents. Now, the rumour has spread throughout the school and they (friends) are avoiding him,” Krishnasamy told The Vibes.
Vimal, who does not, in fact, have HIV, is supposed to start his Form 5 classes this year.
But Krishnasamy said his son refuses to attend school as he cannot bear to face his friends after the rumours had spread.
“My son said he wants to go to another school. He said if he goes back to his old school, he will commit suicide.
“We took him for counselling and decided it is best we move him to another school. He has an interest in drawing, so an art school is probably best for him,” said Krishnasamy, adding that most of the friends Vimal were also patients at the hospital.
However, sending Vimal to art school may prove to be an expensive decision for Krishnasamy.
Krishnasamy had been a lorry driver for a curry powder mill in Bangsar but was forced to quit his job to care for his son.
His wife, T. Kala, 42, meanwhile, works as a security guard at an international school.
“Not only does my wife have to worry about Vimal’s condition, she is on medication for diabetes and high blood pressure,” he said.
The couple's two grown sons, aged 21 and 19, are both working and helping the family financially.
“As everyone knows, during this pandemic, it has been difficult for my sons to earn much.
“I have another 16-year-old son, two daughters – aged 13 and 10 – in school.”
Krishnasamy and his wife are currently pursuing a suit against Ampang Hospital and the Health Ministry over negligence in Vimal's case. – The Vibes, January 23, 2021
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