Thursday March 29, 2012

 

Devigi dreams of a decent home for her disabled children

By A. LETCHUMANAN 
letchu@thestar.com.my

Lending a helping hand: Mohan speaking to Abby (second from left), Meghala and Devigi at their home in Banting.

BANTING: All supermum S. Devigi wants is a decent home for her three children who have muscular dystrophy.

Devigi fears that her family will have to vacate their dilapidated house at the JKR quarters in Sungai Manggis soon.

“Living in this house is a nightmare; water leaks at several places whenever there is a downpour and we also fear snakes entering our home,” she said.

“We would be grateful if good Samaritans can help us achieve our dream.”

Devigi's children Nyanamambiga @ Abby, 27, Meghala, 26, and Gopi, 24, and her husband V. Ugjayan have muscular dystrophy, a condition that causes the muscles to become progressively weak.

Depending on Ugjayan's salary as a driver in a utility company and assistance from the welfare department, the couple have a tough time ensuring there was enough food for the family daily.

“We don't have savings. Sometimes, we have to beg our relatives and friends to get through the day,” she said, adding that her former employer Paul Rajendran had also assisted them.

MIC Youth chief T. Mohan, who visited the family here on Tuesday, had pledged to help the family move into a new home.

“They have a small plot of land inherited from their grandfather and we will collect money for a home which is disabled-friendly,” he said.

“We will talk to a few developers to help build the house,” Mohan said, adding that the estimate was about RM150,000.

He said Paul and his wife Stella, together with Devigi, would manage the account.

Those who want to contribute can send cheques in S. Devigi's name to 12, Jalan PBP 5, Taman Perindustrian Pusat Bandar Puchong, 47100, Puchong, Selangor, or bank in to Banting Maybank current account 562058051642.

For information, contact Paul at 012-229 4518 or K. Kesavan at 012-355 4104.

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.