THE thought of being
plunged in a life and death situation can be a very unnerving experience for
anybody.
And when such things happen, it
often takes place with little or no warning.
Then, there are the instances
when one has to overcome incredible obstacles as one races to get medical help
as soon as possible for the victim.
Although it has been almost 25
years since it happened to Sally Lim and her husband Ivan, age 74, the retiree – now 68-years
old – recalls vividly what transpired as if it only occurred a couple of weeks
ago.
It happened on a Saturday during
the early evening hours.
Sally was resting at home after
a busy half day of work from her broadcasting company in Kuala Lumpur.
Ivan, then 52-years old, was
also catching up on his rest at their home in Sri Petaling, KL. It was also a particularly
tiring day at his publishing office in the capital city.
The couple had no idea what was
about to happen them.
Ivan who has had asthma since he
was 35-years old started having an attack again.
However, this time, his gasping
for air was noticeably more acute.
Sally was grateful that she had
the sense to remain calm as her mind raced about as to what to do next.
She bundled Ivan as quickly as
she could in their car – leaving behind her slippers - to rush him to the
nearest clinic.
To their bad luck, all the
nearby health outlets were closed on that particularly day.
Sally had to drive her hubby for
the next 3 kilometres to the next available clinic.
Realising that Ivan was already
turning blue in the face she slammed her brakes at the parking spot and barged
into the clinic.
“The doctor was a very understanding
man,” Sally told Wheel Power.
“He left everything that he was
doing and attended to my husband,” she added.
“When he saw my husband was in a
very serious condition, he shouted at his nurse to close his clinic for the
day.
“Asking if I could drive, he
hopped into my car as we dashed off to the nearest hospital. He kept treating
Ivan all the time in the cramped vehicle.”
Sally said she was very touched
that the doctor, a total stranger, would go to such lengths to help them. His
charges for his services later were also very nominal.
“Not only that, the mysterious
doctor kept checking up on my husband during the six weeks that he was admitted
in the hospital and I never saw him again after that,” Sally said.
Ivan suffered brain damage when
he had stopped breathing for three minutes during his trip to the
hospital.
He was later diagnosed to have
Parkinson’s disease as well.
Despite their difficult times,
Sally said she has found strength in her faith in God. “The secret is to never
ever give up, even when the going is tough.” She added.
“The doctor advised us ‘that the
only thing to do was to put Ivan into a home.’ But we refused and felt that
Ivan’s road to recovery would be best when he was close to his family.”
The Lims had to teach their loving dad and
husband, who was a sportsman before, everything from scratch.
These include eating his food,
going to the restroom and dressing up.
“The doctor also said that Ivan
would never be able to walk again,” Sally pointed out.
“But I am glad I never listened
to him. I made sure I took him to as many treatments as possible – including
physiotherapy where by the Grace of God he is able walk a bit at home and in
the garden with the help of a walker.”
Sally said her greatest
difficulties were to access these places.
“There were usually no disabled
car parking. So I had to help Ivan out of the car, leave him waiting
precariously until I parked my car and got back to him – praying hard that
nothing would happen to him until then.
“Stairs and the lack of lifts
into shop houses was another concern. I had to carry my husband “piggy back” up
and down the stairs to get his treatment,” Sally pointed out.
“And even though that was quite
some time ago, sadly I don’t see much changes to buildings in being more
disabled friendly even today.” She concluded.
Ivan and Sally are still
fighting Parkinson’s disease today. They make it a point to attend regular
meetings at the Malaysian Parkinson’s Disease Association (MPDA) in Kuala
Lumpur.
The organisation offers support
for People with Parkinson’s as well as to families and caregivers of people
with the disease.
The MPDA can be contacted at the
following: 03 7980 6685
(Tuesdays to Saturdays). Go to www.mpda.org.my)
This story is taken from Wheel Power in The Star.
THE END
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