Terminally ill girl's birthday wish fulfilled
KOTA KINABALU: 'Your Wishes, We Fulfill' and Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) recently fulfilled the birthday party wish of an eightyear-old girl with congenital muscular dystrophy.
Pearl Amberly celebrated her birthday together with her threeyear-old brother Caleb Elton as they shared the same birthday month, which is March.
The deputy Dean of students affairs of Medicine and Health Sciences Faculty (FMHS) in UMS, Dr Yeap Boon Tat, said the birthday celebration was organized by the Medical Students Association (MEDSTAS) and Nursing Students Association (NUSA) of FMHS.
He came up with the idea during a conference in Shanghai last year, and believed that the 'Your Wishes, We Fulfill' program would benefit the people in Sabah, especially poor families. The program could also train students in their soft skills.
“We were informed by the Palliative Care Unit of Hospital Wanita dan Kanak-Kanak Likas about her plight and it immediately hit me with the idea to organize this party for Pearl.
“We hope to fulfill her wishes, which is to celebrate a grand birthday at McDonald's and enjoy the beach. She had never seen nor played by the beach before. Thus, all we can do is to make her as happy as possible,” he said.
Also present to celebrate her birthday were Pearl's parents and relatives, who rented a van to UMS to participate in the memorable event.
Among the highlights of the programme were singing the birthday song and cake cutting, colouring session, fun games and various performances by the medical and nursing students.
Pearl was also brought to the UMS Outdoor Development Centre (ODEC) to stroll and play by the beach.
“We will continue with this event in future to fulfill the wishes of individuals, be they young or old, in Sabah, as we do not know what lies ahead for them. Most importantly, they are able to spend sweet moments with their beloved family members together.
“MEDSTAS and NUSA would like to thank UMS Vice Chancellor Prof Dr D. Kamarruddin D Mudin, Students Affairs Department (HEPA) and McDonald's Sabah for their kind assistance in ensuring the success of this event,” Yeap added.
Diagnosed with the degenerative disease which affects her voluntary muscles since birth, Pearl had to spend her time going back and forth from Likas Women and Children Hospital here to her house in Kampung Pomotodon, Inanam for checkup every month.
Her mother, Anna Marie Jami Gait, 34, said she would not take Pearl to places crowded with people due to her health condition.
She said she was still working as a clerk when she had Pearl and sent her to a daycare.
However, Pearl was ill all the time, she had to be admitted to hospital for a month or longer due to pneumonia.
Therefore, Anna quit her job to take care of Pearl full time and since then, Pearl's health had improved. She had not been admitted to hospital for a year now.
Tears started to fill Anna's eyes when she explained about Pearl's condition as she was reminded of her meeting with Pearl's doctor. She said the doctor explained that Pearl would not have a long lifespan.
She said Pearl could not move on her own and needed full assistance for physical movement, however, Pearl could talk a bit.
Anna was also happy to share about Pearl's interest in art and singing.
“She does like activities. At home, she played with her little brother. Sometimes she asked for a pencil because she wants to draw and she likes to sing.
“Usually we celebrate birthdays at home. We bought cake and cut it. It was ok,” she explained with a giggle.
Anna also said her husband works as a mechanic and she has four children, including Pearl, with the eldest aged 17.
Pearl's father, Ron Sepin, 36, said though they had to face difficulties, he said they are grateful as they received assistance, including allowance from the government.
Pearl, who sat in her blue stroller, enjoyed her birthday party and even ate her chocolate flavored birthday cake with the help of the students.
Her three-year-old little brother, who ate fries, also touched the hearts of those present in the seminar room at FMHS when he shared his fries with Pearl and even fed her.
Although unable to move on her own, Pearl was not afraid to talk with other people and answered questions.
She swung her legs back and forth while talking as if she was shy.
When asked who gave her the pretty ‘My Little Pony' dress, she answered with her eyes looking as if she was smiling and said, “Doctor.”