KUALA LUMPUR – Mohd Kamil Affendy, fondly known as Eddie, is a victim of unfortunate circumstances stuck in a Covid-19 ward.
The 39-year-old suffers from a myriad of problems, ranging from diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol, mental illness and suicidal thoughts, to blindness that led him to lose his job as a taxi driver, a mother who lives alone due to his hospitalisation, and, to make things worse, Covid-19.
When The Vibes contacted him after noticing his “community help” plea on his Facebook page, it was evident from his first words that he was struggling to breathe, but seemed happy to have someone with whom to share his problems.
“I returned to Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) in late May to treat my migraines. I was in the neurology ward up till two weekends ago, when I tested positive for Covid-19,” said Eddie.
“Now, I am battling the third stage of the infection.”
By Malaysian classification, Category 3 of the disease triggers pneumonia – an infection that inflames the air sacs of the lungs, filling them up with fluid or pus, and causing symptoms such as a cough, chills, fever and trouble breathing.
However, the doting son also shows a selfless side. Despite all his troubles, Eddie still worries about his widowed 74-year-old mother, who lives alone now that he is admitted to HKL.
Although he has three older siblings, it seems that both he and his mother have been abandoned by them.
“They have not helped (financially). She is alone right now, but I am not sure if my siblings are helping her,” said Eddie.
“Perikatan responsible for plight of unemployed handicapped”
Fortunately for the family, Wangsa Maju MP Datin Tan Yee Kew came to the septuagenarian’s rescue and presented her with a food basket.
In a Facebook post, Tan said Eddie’s mother seemed happy with the visit and shared about her son’s kindness and penchant for rescuing stray cats.
The PKR lawmaker later told The Vibes that she holds the Perikatan Nasional administration accountable for its neglect towards the handicapped community during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Kamil has not only lost his job, but also his eyesight during the pandemic.
“He needs a job, not charity, for him to move on. Has the PN government ever looked into the plight of the unemployed handicapped?”
Eddie said his mother has advised him to seek financial assistance from government bodies and agencies.
“My mother told me to approach Baitulmal, and I get RM400 a month from them. It is enough if you are wise with money.
“Recently, I also received RM100 via Bantuan Prihatin Rakyat.”
An incomplete diagnosis on suicidal tendencies
Suffering from bipolar I disorder, Eddie first tried to commit suicide in 2018 by slitting his wrist. He was then taken to HKL and diagnosed with major depressive disorder.
However, the original diagnosis was incomplete as he attempted to end his life again in 2019. This time around, the doctors found that his illness is more severe.
“That diagnosis turned out to be wrong, as now the doctors have determined that I have bipolar type I,” explained Eddie.
“I feel mentally better as the new medication works better, but there are times when I still feel like I do not have hope.”
Now, after being diagnosed with Covid-19, he has been having dark thoughts of ending it all once again.
Going blind, losing his job, struggling to find income
It seems that misfortune has always persistently dogged Eddie, especially when things took a darker turn in February, as his vision started deteriorating.
For some context, he worked as a taxi driver since 2008 before losing the majority of his vision. It is impossible for him to return to his job as his eyesight has worsened to the point that he is considered legally blind.
He went to a government health clinic that referred him to HKL, where he went through a barrage of tests.
Doctors initially thought his deteriorating eyesight was due to his diabetes, but later determined it was due to an inflamed optic nerve.
“They know my vision is deteriorating due to an inflamed optic nerve, but they do not know what is causing the inflammation,” explained Eddie.
He now has a disability card from the Welfare Department, and is a member of the Malaysian Association of the Blind (MAB).
MAB offered him training, but he could not commit to uprooting himself to Perak for six months as he has to constantly attend appointments with various specialist doctors at HKL.
“I tried to find jobs around my area in Ampang, but it was unsuccessful,” said Eddie.
“During this movement control order, it has been difficult. I tried selling crackers and snacks by the roadside, but that, too, proved futile.”
Social media trolls add to despair
To rub salt into the wound, when Eddie reached for public help out on social media, he was met with many insensitive and negative comments from trolls, though he also received messages of support and sympathy.
“When I reach out to people on social media, I get negative messages such as people asking me to just jump off a building,” he said.
This feeling of hopelessness is evident in his recent Facebook posts, where he has been asking the social media community for a job and someone with whom to talk.
His latest post dated July 5 also reveals his worsening condition.
“I feel like dying,” he said in one post, followed by a picture of him lying in bed strapped to a high flow oxygen mask.
For those seeking emotional support, Befrienders is reachable at 03-7627-2929 or [email protected]; and, the Talian Kasih hotline is 15999. – The Vibes, July 7, 2021
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