Monday March 26, 2012

Supermum needs a home

By A. LETCHUMANAN 
letchu@thestar.com.my

BANTING: S. Devigi is a supermum.

Not only is she bringing up three children diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, she is also taking care of her brother-in-law, who suffers from the same disease.

Muscular dystrophy is a condition where muscles become progressively weak.

Undaunted, Devigi is going all out to ensure her children get an education.

Beating the odds: Devigi lifting Meghala from a wheelchair at their home at Sungai Maggis in Banting, Klang. Looking on are Abby and Gopi (in white).

A few years ago, it was a familiar sight when the 53-year-old housewife put the three children on separate wheelchairs and pushed them to their primary and secondary schools in Banting.

Devigi married V. Ugjayan, 52, a close relative in the early 1980s and gave birth to a daughter Nyanamambiga @Abby in 1985 followed by Meghala in 1987 and Gopi in 1988.

“The children were healthy when they were born but after a few years, they came down with the disease,” she said.

Devigi added that she had spent lots of money on mediums as well as consultants in hospitals.

Life is a struggle for the couple.

With only her husband's salary as a driver in a utility company and assistance from the welfare department, they are having a tough time ensuring that there is enough food on the table.

Her husband underwent a heart operation and has been assigned to light duties while Devigi suffers from swollen legs making it difficult for her to carry the children to the bathroom.

Abby, who has completed her SPM, is pursuing her further studies as well as helping out in a language institute while her brother gets an allowance working in a Banting temple.

Meghala does graphic design work at home.

Their financial difficulties aside, the family one of the very few still living in a dilapidated PWD quarters in Sungai Manggis have received notices to vacate but have nowhere to go.

“We hope a good Samaritan will help us find suitable shelter,” Devigi said.

Devigi's former employers Paul and Stella Rajendran came to the family's aid recently when Gopi's motorised wheelchair broke down.

“I looked after their children when they were young but now, they have been helping mine. I am indebted to them,” Devigi said.

Paul and Stella sought help from the Taman Tun Dr Ismail Kristis Aman Church which undertook a donation drive and collected RM5,500 to buy a motorised wheelchair, which was presented to Gopi last week.

The couple also bought a toilet wheelchair which was a requirement for the three children.