What happened to Mdm Qaseh?

Both Mdm Qaseh’s parents have passed away and with her husband currently incarcerated, she is left to navigate the challenges of raising her young children alone. 2022 was a tumultuous year for Mdm Qaseh, who was pregnant with her second son at the time. She saw her mother through the terminal stage of progressive supranuclear palsy, a life-limiting neurodegenerative condition that left her mother fully dependent on her for all her needs.

While grappling with the loss of her mother, Mdm Qaseh faced another unexpected blow when her husband was arrested on possession charges for illicit substances. The verdict of a sixteen-year sentence was devastating to the young mother, who was now left alone to deal with her deteriorating health while struggling with the care of a rambunctious toddler and a newborn. One year in, she is still coming to terms with the recent loss of her mother and her husband’s long-term incarceration, while managing multiple health problems that have cost her job as a chef, as well as her ability to keep up physically with her active boys.

Suffering from osteoarthritis, a medial meniscus tear, and degenerative joint disease, further complicated by severe skin laxity, Mdm Qaseh’s doctors have advised that she should not put off surgical treatment any further.

How can you help?

To keep up with the care needs now, as the sole caregiver for her children and navigating multiple health concerns and surgeries, Mdm Qaseh addressed her pressing needs by hiring a dedicated helper for assistance with her Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and childcare, given her physical limitations and the imminent surgeries.

As she is scheduled to undergo multiple surgeries beginning in January 2024, Ray of Hope aims to raise funds for her helper’s salary for nine months, ensuring that her children are cared for during her recovery period ($700 x 9 months).

Your support will not only aid in her physical recovery but also alleviate the emotional distress caused by concerns about her children’s welfare during her hospitalization.

Find out more about Mdm Qaseh:

Previously obese, Mdm Qaseh was put on a strict weight loss programme by her doctors to reduce the impact on her pre-existing conditions such as osteoarthritis and diabetes. Unfortunately, the extreme weight loss was not in time to prevent a medial meniscus tear that resulted in degenerative joint disease. Mdm Qaseh was also not prepared to face the medical complexities of her weight loss, such as extreme skin laxity, which has resulted in multiple infections and mobility concerns. The financial worries and caregiving needs for her children have compelled her to postpone important surgical interventions, including addressing severe skin laxity that has led to frequent fungal infections, especially in her c-section surgical site.

These health issues have not only necessitated multiple surgeries but have also extended her recovery period, posing significant concerns to both her livelihood and the caregiving needs of her two young sons, aged 3 and 1. Currently having to undergo multiple surgeries, Mdm Qaseh has employed a domestic helper to see to the needs of her children and support her through the multiple phases of recovery.

Mdm Qaseh’s upcoming surgeries are scheduled to start in January 2024 and will take place over three stages over the course of 6 to 9 months.

*Mdm Qaseh is receiving social assistance.