From Boat To Mat For Paralysed Fisherman

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Mopin Mardi lying on a mat in his house.KUCHING: Former fisherman Mopin Mardi lies helplessly on a mat in his house as he listens to friends starting their boats to go out for another day’s catch
A year ago, he was among them. But that was before he broke his neck and injured his spine in a fall from a friend’s verandah
His house is located in Kampung Tanjung Bakong, outside the town of Sundar, about 30km from Lawas
About 20m from the house is the bank of the river he used to fish in
“I just hold my tears back every day when I hear the sound of the boat engines,” the 44-year-old told FMT
Money has also become a problem for him and his family
Before his paralysis, he could earn RM50 to RM60 a day
“Now I’m totally dependent on my wife, who suffers from epilepsy,” he said
He and his wife, 29-year-old Sahnilam Sahari, have an adopted daughter aged 13
“My wife used to sell ice-cream for some side income, earning less than RM5 a day,” he said. “But she can no longer do so as she has to take care of me at home.”He said he had yet to receive assistance from the welfare department and has been depending on his savings, part of which is money his late mother left for him
“My savings are running low. My siblings and an in-law who works in Johor Bahru help my family from time to time, but I feel embarrassed about it and it’s barely enough for my family.”He said he was grateful for some financial aid provided by the state and federal governments to help him get through the Covid-19 crisis as well as for food aid from rural health activist Agnes Padan
But financial constraints have caused him to miss his follow-up appointments with the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kota Kinabalu. The return trip costs about RM500
He said he was glad the doctors at Queen Elizabeth had agreed to transfer his case to the health clinic in Sundar
“The medical staff will come to my house every two weeks to change my urine bag
“Unfortunately, the clinic does not have colostomy bags. My wife has to buy one every time from a pharmacy. It’s quite expensive, about RM130.”But even in the midst of his troubles, he is grateful for the encouragement he receives from her
Mopin Mardi’s wife (far left) and some of her relatives receiving food aid from rural health activist Agnes Padan (far right).“I’m very thankful to her and my friends for giving me moral support at those times when I feel like giving up.”It was Padan who highlighted Mopin’s story in the press. Since March 28, she and her brother have been distributing food aid sponsored by NGOs and personal donors to about 1,500 needy families in Lawas

“There are many who are experiencing hardships like Mopin’s family, especially during this CMCO (conditional movement control order), and it’s part of our job as responsible citizens to help those in need,” she said. - FMT

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