Out of the darkness: Hamzah, Zainal and Zaleha are all smiles.
PETALING JAYA: When retired security guard Zainal Ariffin Md Taha, 67, lost his right leg two years ago due to diabetic complications, his entire world came crumbling down.
He was already aged and had little earnings from his small business of selling coconut milk from his home.
He was at his wits’ end over how he and his wife Zaleha Thamby, 68, would survive.
With his attempts to get a prosthetic limb through government agencies ending in failure, he was in depression – until two months ago when a neighbour noticed Zainal slumped in his wheelchair in the porch of his house at Kampung Baru in Batu Arang, Selangor, gazing blankly at the sky.
On learning about the difficulties faced by the disabled man, he called a friend, retired school teacher Hamzah Osman.
Hamzah, who lives in a nearby township in Rawang, visited Zainal and he got the ball rolling to raise RM9,000 to fund the prosthetic limb Zainal so badly needed.
In just weeks, about 25 donors – of all races – stepped up, chipped in and managed to raise the sum.
Just then, Selayang municipal councillor Alice Choo also got wind of the fundraiser.
She made a few calls and then informed the group that a Petaling Jaya-based charitable organisation had not only offered to sponsor the prosthetic limb for Zainal but also to undertake any upgrades and maintenance for the rest of his life.
On Dec 7, Zainal was beaming again as he was back on his feet with his new artificial limb.
Hamzah, who taught Zainal’s son in secondary school two decades ago, said the RM9,000 raised would go towards helping Zainal resume his santan business.
“This is the Malaysian spirit of compassion. The moment we put out the word, people of all races came forward and without a second thought, helped raise the sum that was needed,” he said.
Zainal’s depression is now a thing of the past.
“When doctors told me they had to remove my leg, it was the darkest moment of my life. I have two children but they do not earn much and have their own families. I receive a little aid from a welfare agency, which partially pays for our food.
“However, when I applied to several agencies for an artificial limb, it ended in disappointment. Despite receiving assurances, I never heard from them. When I called again, I was just asked to fill up more and more forms.
“I gave up after two years. I had no one to turn to until Cikgu (Hamzah) showed up. I am so grateful to all the donors. I will never forget their kindness.”
Choo said she was overjoyed seeing Zainal walking again with the help of the prosthetic leg.
“It’s so heartwarming to see the various races come together to help a fellow Malaysian. Let us continue spreading this spirit of compassion,” she said.
She also welcomed those who are disabled and in need of prosthetic limbs to contact her as there are organisations that are prepared to help deserving cases.
