One tragic blow after another for ex-air force man
JOHOR BARU: Life has dealt some cruel blows to former e-hailing driver K. Vijayan.
His wife died three years ago of liver cancer. And now he has to go for dialysis at least three times a week as his kidneys are failing. It costs about RM200 per session. “The days have been tough, especially after my wife died,” said Vijayan, 66.
He has three sons who are facing their own challenges, too.
The eldest, 27, has Down Syndrome and Vijayan is finding it hard to cope with his care.
“These days I am too weak to drive (to earn a living),” said Vijayan, who recovered from Covid19 recently.
His second son, a pharmaceutical assistant, helps with family expenses. All of them live in a low-cost house in Pasir Gudang.
His youngest is in a reform school.
Vijayan, who did odd jobs after leaving the air force, said he had been getting help from well-wishers and the Persatuan Veteran India Angkatan Tentera Malaysia to pay for his dialysis treatment.
“They, too, have said that they cannot support me anymore. I have asked many dialysis centres around Johor Baru, hoping to get a cheaper rate, but they said that they have no vacant slot for now,” he said.
Vijayan is hoping that a charity organisation would take in his eldest son one day.
“My second son is getting married and moving out soon.
“What will happen to his brother when I am no longer around?” he said.
Vijayan sought the help of Johor Indian Business Association (JIBA) president P. Sivakumar who sourced for funds for his dialysis treatment.
“We are also hoping to raise funds from the public to help this man and also welcome NGOS that can provide cheaper treatment,” he said, urging the Johor Welfare Department to also provide aid to the family.
Those keen to donate can issue a cheque to Persatuan Peniaga India Johor and bank it into the association’s Public Bank account at 3110997613.