FIFTY-EIGHT-YEAR-OLD Maniam Kannu indeed has a resolute faith.
Life has thrown him too many curveballs over the years.
Maniam 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. Since then, he relied on his wheelchair for mobility.
Leading a humble life with his also disabled wife S.Jayalalitha, 55, Maniam was happy.
Jayalalitha was working as a security guard.
The family was tested once again in 2017 when Jayalalitha’s health deteriorated.
“In 2017, when I saw her health was deteriorating, I told her to leave the job and rest at home. Her health is more important,” Maniam said when contacted recently.
Fast forward, Jayalalitha was admitted to the Penang Hospital recently after she was diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB).
“I travel to the hospital by taxi to visit my wife daily.
“It is really hard for me to manage the transport expenses as we are only surviving on Socso and welfare aid.
“Life has been very challenging all these while, and it has become worse since my wife got admitted into the hospital,” Maniam told Buletin Mutiara recently.
Maniam said his family struggled to pay its monthly home loan, apart from its daily expenses.
Putting up a brave and calm composure, Maniam said: “I may look calm on the outside, but I am feeling great pain on the inside.”
“We struggle to pay our home loan that we have overdue payments now.
“We just hope that there are some kind people who can offer us some help to ease our burden,” he added.
Recently, Maniam was also among the recipients who received Deepavali hampers and wheelchairs from the Buddhist Tzu Chi Merits Society Malaysia Penang.
The presentation was held at the Persatuan Penganut Dewa Arulmigu Om Sakthi Muniswarar temple in Bandar Baru Air Itam.
Buddhist Tzu Chi Merits Society Malaysia commissioner Datuk Khoo Boo Leong presented two wheelchairs – one for the temple and another for Maniam.
Khoo also presented the hampers (grocery items) to the needy families.
Also present was Serdang OCPD ACP A. A. Anbalagan.
Those who wish to help Maniam can visit https://dahderma.my/campaign-details/55
Anyone who needs assistance, visit https://www.pgcarealliance.com
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix courtesy of Persatuan Penganut Dewa Arulmigu Om Sakthi Muniswarar & Buddhist Tzu Chi Merits Society Malaysia