FIFTY-EIGHT-YEAR-OLD Maniam Kannu received a pleasant new year’s gift when Paya Terubong assemblyman Yeoh Soon Hin and Penang Care Society (formerly known as PgCare Alliance) members visited him at his house recently.
During the visit on Dec 31 last year, Yeoh and Penang Care Society presented Maniam with a total of RM3,500 to help him with his daily expenses.
Maniam also received some grocery items.
Yeoh contributed RM1,000 while the Penang Care Society gave RM2,500. Earlier, it was reported by Buletin Mutiara that Maniam needed some financial assistance.
According to the report, he suffered from polio when he was just three years old, which impacted his walking ability.
Then, he was forced to resign from his job as a machine operator following an accident in October 2014.
Part of his right leg had to be amputated after the serious accident because he is also a diabetic patient and since then, he has relied on his wheelchair for mobility.
Maniam said his family has been struggling to pay its monthly home loan, apart from its daily expenses.
Recently, his disabled wife S. Jayalalitha, 55, was hospitalised due to tuberculosis (TB).
Following that, another unfortunate event happened to Maniam when part of his left leg was also amputated in December.
Penang Care Society chairman Dr Ngoo Seong Boon said his team would find ways to help Maniam with his livelihood.
“We are also connecting with other NGOs to help him sustain for a longer term,” Dr Ngoo said.
Meanwhile, Maniam said he was grateful to Yeoh and Penang Care Society for their kind gesture.
Story & Pix by Tanushalini Moroter