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Her Whole Life Now Is About Caring For Her Son

Devoted mum has been main caregiver of quadriplegic son for 17 years. Every day, she talks to him, says dad. She has to tube-feed her 38-year-old son, change his diapers, and turn him over every two hours to prevent bedsores.

If you think life is tough for Madam Maznah Sharipan, 59, think again.

Her husband had his foot amputated because of diabetes, and is on dialysis.

So when it comes to physically turning her son to ease his bedsores or putting ice packs to bring down his frequent fevers, Madam Maznah has to manage all on her own.

Her son, Mr Yuri Dahlan Ismail, suffered a traumatic brain injury that left him bedridden when he was 21.

While on a work assignment, the car he was driving was involved in an accident. The front seat passenger did not survive.

Madam Maznah, a housewife who has been her son’s main caregiver for the past 17 years, is responsible for tube-feeding him, changing his diapers and sponging him daily.

Speaking to The New Paper in their four-room flat in Bukit Panjang, her husband, Mr Ismail Shahul Hamid, 62, said she is devoted to their son.

They have a younger son, 36, who does not live with them but visits every week to help bathe Mr Yuri.

Mr Ismail said: “She will talk to him all the time, telling him to be patient and to endure. Even if he can’t respond, he can still hear her voice.”

Despite the challenges, Madam Maznah manages to keep going with strength, humour and faith.

During this interview, she broke into laughter when her husband said in jest that she neglects him despite their 40 years of marriage.

But she does admit that her son is always on her mind.

“When I’m not at home, I’m always wondering about him. I feel relieved and happy every time I see him.”

Her son’s condition – he is a quadriplegic and is unable to communicate in any way – was hard for her to accept at first.

“I used to cry and had trouble sleeping after his accident,” she said.

Mr Yuri – named after Russian astronaut Yuri Gagarin, the first man to travel to space – had just graduated from Singapore Polytechnic when the accident happened in 1999.

He had serious head injuries and was hospitalised for six months. He then had to stay at a rehabilitation home for another six months before returning home.

Over the past few years, Madam Maznah has managed to care for her son, but her biggest challenge involves moving him frequently to reduce pressure on his bedsores, which have worsened over the years.

Mr Ismail, who has Type 1 diabetes and kidney failure, has been going for dialysis three times a week since 2008. The former driver was forced to stop working after his foot was amputated in 2014.

After that, his wife had to wheel him to the dialysis centre, but he now relies on a motorised wheelchair.

The family lives on a monthly payout from Mr Yuri’s former employer, Mr Ismail’s CPF payout and financial assistance from a family service centre and the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis).

HOME NURSING

Since June last year, Mr Yuri has been a recipient of non-profit organisation Home Nursing Foundation (HNF), which provides home care services.

Staff nurse Hong Jia Wei, 27, visits their home twice a week to attend to his bedsores.

The family is part of Portraits Of Love, a photography project featuring patients and their caregivers, families or loved ones.

Ms Hong told TNP that Mr Yuri’s bedsores were very serious at first but his condition has improved slightly.

She said: “The mum is not young any more and it is difficult for her to turn him over every two hours.

“But they are very loving towards him and always telling me that he is a good son.”

She added that she was impressed by their tenacity.

“They are a very simple and humble family and always joking around.”

Mr Ismail said they have learnt to accept their fate.

“The reality is that life has its ups and downs,” he said.

Madam Maznah added: “I just feel lucky that I’m still able to embrace my son. I’m always praying for him and I have never given up hope that he will get better one day.”

Raising awareness of home healthcare services

Portraits Of Love is a project where patients are presented with a photograph taken with their caregivers, families or loved ones.

Between August and November last year, 50 Home Nursing Foundation (HNF) patients were photographed. The photographer, accompanied by a make-up artist who also served as a stylist, went to each home for the photo shoot.

A framed A8-size photograph was given to every participating patient.

The foundation’s spokesman said: “We noticed that our patients tend to have one thing in common: blank cold walls in their flats. Whatever photos they have are greatly treasured by them.”

The Portraits Of Love exhibition, which runs from tomorrow till Sunday, is the first of a series of events organised by HNF to celebrate its 40th anniversary this year.

The exhibition will showcase a series of photos and short write-ups of HNF’s beneficiaries who have received support through its home healthcare services.

The aim is to raise public awareness of home healthcare services and to educate the public about available care options and support services in the community.

The exhibition will be officially launched tomorrow by Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State for Health and Environment and Water Resources, at Raffles City Shopping Centre.

Source: The New Paper

April 22, 2016
Insiden Kelar Di ITE: Rayuan Terhadap Hukuman Penjara Diluluskan

Rayuan yang dikemukakan seorang pelajar ITE terhadap hukuman penjara 18 bulan dan enam sebatan rotan yang dikenakan ke atasnya, diluluskan mahkamah.

Muhammad Zuhairie Adely Zulkifli, 17 tahun, didapati bersalah mengelar teman lelaki rakan sekolahnya di kampus ITE pada Mac tahun lalu.

Hakim Chan Seng Onn hari ini (21 Apr) sebaliknya mengarahkan Zuhairie supaya menjalani latihan pemulihan antara 18 bulan hingga tiga tahun.

Pada Mac tahun lalu, Zuhairie menggunakan pisau sepanjang 35cm untuk mengelar Ahmad Nuthaqif Sahed berkali-kali di mukanya. Zuhairie melarikan diri selepas serangan itu, namun ditangkap pada hari yang sama. Mangsa mengalami beberapa keretakan tulang serta beberapa tendonnya juga terputus akibat serangan tersebut.

Zuhairie mengaku bersalah atas serangan tersebut pada Oktober 2015 dan dijatuhi hukuman pada November tahun lalu.

TAFSIRAN HAKIM TERHADAP KESALAHAN “TERLALU BERAT”

Peguamnya, Benny Tan memberitahu Mahkamah Tinggi hari ini bahawa tafsiran Hakim Daerah terhadap kesalahan-kesalahan Zuhairie mungkin terlalu berat, dan beliau menjatuhkan hukuman pencegahan, bukan pemulihan.

Encik Tan menggesa Mahkamah Tinggi supaya mengarahkan Zuhairie menjalani latihan pemulihan, di mana remaja itu boleh memanfaatkan program-program khusus untuk membimbingnya – sesuatu yang gagal dilakukan ibu bapanya, kata peguamnya.

LAPORAN: ZUHAIRIE MEMBESAR DALAM SEKITARAN TIDAK STABIL

Satu laporan psikologi menyatakan bahawa Zuhairie membesar dalam sekitaran yang “tidak stabil” dengan “jagaan ibu bapa yang tidak konsisten serta keganasan di rumah.”

Mahkamah diberitahu bahawa ibu bapa Zuhairie “gagal menjadi peran contoh” dengan “rekod jenayah bagi tempoh masa yang panjang”.

Zuhairie juga tinggal di sebuah rumah kebajikan sejak usianya 12 tahun.

Peguamnya berkata latihan pemulihan akan memperbetulkan kesan latar belakang keluarganya terhadap Zuhairie.

PENJARA AKAN BERI “KESAN NEGATIF”

Beliau menambah bahawa langkah terbaik bagi kepentingan masyarakat ialah mengarahkan Zuhairie menjalani latihan pemulihan, bukan menjatuhkan hukuman penjara, di mana remaja itu akan terdedah kepada kesan negatif.

Encik Tan juga menunjukkan mahkamah dua klip video insiden serangan itu yang dirakamkan seorang pelajar dan tersebar luas di lelaman media sosial. Ia menunjukkan mangsa mencemuh Zuhairie dan mencabarnya supaya melawannya.

DPP: ZUHAIRIE BERSEDIA GUNA KEGANASAN KETERLALUAN

Namun, Timbalan Pendakwa Raya, Wong Kok Weng, menggesa Mahkamah Tinggi supaya jangan menarik balik hukuman penjara yang dikenakan terhadapnya.

Beliau menarik perhatian tentang beberapa perkara dalam laporan probesyen Zuhairie – termasuk sikapnya yang bersedia menggunakan keganasan yang keterlaluan untuk menghuraikan konflik, dan sikapnya yang semberono dan terburu-buru.

DPP Wong juga berkata prospek pemulihan Zuhairie tidak seharusnya dibesar-besarkan, dan menarik perhatian, Zuhairie terus mewajarkan tindakan ganasnya dengan menyalahi mangsa kerana menyakitkan hatinya.

Hakim Chan, ketika menarik balik hukuman yang dijatuhkan sebelum ini, memberitahu Zuhairie supaya memanfaatkan sepenuhnya tempoh menjalani latihan pemulihan untuk memperbaiki dirinya.

Source: Berita Mediacorp

April 22, 2016
Pelakon Tony Eusoff Dihukum Penjara 8 Bulan Di Singapura

Mahkamah Singapura hari ini (21 Apr) menjatuhkan hukuman lapan bulan penjara ke atas pelakon Malaysia Tony Eusoff kerana memiliki dadah.

Tony, 38 tahun, atau nama sebenarnya Anthony Joseph Anak Hermas Rajiman dihada kan ke mahkamah pada 31 Mac lepas dan didakwa memiliki dadah terkawal Kelas A di bawah Akta Penyalahgunaan Dadah.

Laporan sebelum ini menyebut pelakon itu dipercayai memiliki satu peket mengandungi tidak kurang daripada 4.56g bahan sayuran yang dianalisis dan didapati mengandungi kesan ganja.

Dia didakwa memiliki dadah itu di balai ketibaan bas Pihak Berkuasa Imigresen dan Pusat Pemeriksaan di Pusat Pemeriksaan Tuas pada 12 Mac lepas.

Turut hadir di mahkamah memberi sokongan ke atas anak kelahiran Sarawak itu adalah penerbit filem Datuk Vinod Shekar dan rakan-rakan artis termasuk Jehan Miskin.
Atas kesalahan memiliki ganja, Tony boleh dipenjara sehingga 10 tahun, didenda sehingga S$20,000 atau kedua-duanya sekali.

Source: Berita Mediacorp

April 21, 2016
Authorities In M’sia Uncover Pyramid Scheme Which Turns Children Into Addicts, Drug Pushers

Drug suppliers are turning children as young as seven into addicts by giving them free drug-laced sweets only to turn them into pushers for their peers.

This has been carried out since last year through a pyramid scheme which also comprises children besides small syndicates that supply drugs to children.

National Anti-Drugs Agency deputy director-general (operations) Izhar Abu Talib said the use of children in the scheme was a strategy deployed to entrap other children.

“The children get the sweets from a distributor who pushes sales just like in a pyramid scheme,” Mr Izhar said.

He said those selling the sweets usually loitered at places frequented by children outside schools or near playgrounds.

“But they are usually at places packed with children or at their hangout spots,” he said.

Mr Izhar said although the potency of the drug in the sweets had not been determined yet, most were laced with pil kuda or ganja.

“Their addiction to the drug depends on how regularly they eat the sweets. It is difficult to determine how fast the children get addicted,” he said.

“If they take it once a week, it will take a while to affect the child but if the child takes it every day, it would be faster.”

The drug distributor’s objective ultimately was to ensure a continuous customer base.

“It is a floodgate to introduce drugs to children so when they feel like they are enjoying themselves, they will keep looking for the drug and eventually become dependent,” he said.

“Then, it will not be hard for the supplier to find people to sell the drugs to.”

Mr Izhar said there were 26 students in the agency’s Cure and Care Service Centre (CCSC) in Kedah who were only being given tuition to prepare for the PT3 examination.

Another group at the CCSC in Kota Baru still go to school daily.

He said the agency only came into play if schools were unable to rehabilitate the children.

“Some children come forward voluntarily with their addiction. Others are persuaded by their parents or reported to us by schools.” he said.

“We usually ask the schools to intervene and if they (the children) are rehabilitated, then they can go back to school. But if they can’t, then we will step in and place some of them under voluntary rehabilitation.”

He said the agency’s primary role was to save students with higher drug dependency.

“We are also working with the Health Ministry prevention programmes which include random urine testing on students suspected of being involved in drugs,” he said.

“Right now, our focus is to get children out of their drug dependency and save them, especially since some are still in the early stages.”

In an immediate reaction, Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation vice-chairman Lee Lam Thye said it was not surprising drug distributors were selling such sweets to children.

He said it was important to teach children not to be influenced by drugs.

Source: TODAY Online

April 21, 2016
Singapore Doubles Amount It Will Give Palestinians For Capacity-Building

Singapore is committed to supporting Palestinians to build their capacity and skills, and will double the sum of its enhanced technical assistance package from S$5 million to S$10million.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong made this commitment at a meeting with Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah in Ramallah on Wednesday, Mr Lee’s press secretary Chang Li Lin told reporters after the meeting.

Mr Lee, the first Singapore prime minister to visit the Palestinian Territories, also encouraged the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) to resume negotiations to find a just and durable peace in a two-state solution – with Israel and Palestine living side by side.

Under the package, Singapore has hosted study visits for Palestinian officials in areas such as education, anti-corruption reform and economic development.

Singapore will also share its experience in vocational and skills training.

“PM Hamdallah welcomed this as the Palestinians valued their friendship with Singapore,” Ms Chang said. “He expressed appreciation for Singapore’s assistance as education was a key focus for the Palestinians.”

Dr Hamdallah received Mr Lee at his office in the Palestinian Territories on Wednesday morning.

Both men then visited the mausoleum of Yasser Arafat, the first president of the Palestinian Authority, where Mr Lee laid a wreath before Mr Hamdallah hosted him to lunch.

Dr Hamdallah welcomed the first visit by a Singapore PM to the Territories and conveyed the warm greetings of President Mahmoud Abbas, who is overseas.

Mr Lee invited Dr Hamdallah to make a reciprocal visit to Singapore, which he accepted.

Mr Lee also reiterated the standing invitation for President Abbas to visit Singapore.

Dr Hamdallah briefed the Singapore delegation about the situation in the Palestinian Territories and reaffirmed the PNA’s commitment to the two-state solution.

PM Lee had, at a meeting with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, reiterated

Singapore’s hope that the Israelis and Palestinians can restart talks for a two-state solution.

It was a point he made again when Israel’s Leader of the Opposition Isaac Herzog called on him on Wednesday morning.

Both men had an exchange of views on developments in Israel and the region, Ms Chang said.

“Mr Herzog agreed that the two-state solution remains the only viable option to achieve a just and durable peace for Israel and Palestine,” she added.

Mr Lee also visited the Temple Mount in Jerusalem in the morning and Muslim leaders showed him around the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Source: The Straits Times

April 21, 2016