Navigating life’s toughest battle
Aisyah, a 35-year-old mother of two, is navigating the tumultuous waters of divorce and a debilitating stroke diagnosis. Aisyah’s health struggles began in June 2019 with the premature birth of her second child, Hafiy, at 26 weeks. She started experiencing mild monthly seizures, with the cause remaining unknown.

In September 2022, a severe seizure led to her hospitalisation due to acute intracranial bleeding and a subsequent stroke, which impaired her speech and affected the right side of her body. Now diagnosed with a stroke and frequent seizures, Aisyah’s prognosis is one of uncertainty. Doctors have prepared her that the stroke’s impact on her is likely to be permanent, with minimal to no expectation of improvement. Since then, she requires assistance in her daily activities from her helper.

Amidst increasing health challenges and caregiving needs, Aisyah also faced the additional turmoil of coming to terms with the end of her marital relationship. In June 2023, the couple filed for divorce, and the proceedings are expected to be finalised in May 2024. Despite this, Aisyah’s resilience and determination shine through as she faces these hardships head-on, seeking support to ensure a better future for her family.

How can you give a helping hand?

Currently, Aisyah’s worries include financial instability and the challenges of caring for her children, one of whom is suspected to have autism. In desperation, the young mother has resorted to re-using her insulin syringes to cut costs.

Your support will make a significant difference in Aisyah’s life by covering essential expenses such as:

1.  Medical Costs: Insulin injections and other medical treatments totaling $700.
2. Transportation: Costs for ambulance and taxi services amounting to $300.

By contributing, you will help ensure Aisyah receives the essential care she needs. Your support will also help bridge the financial gap for the next 5 months, providing the family with crucial financial assistance during this challenging transition. A community social worker is actively working with Aisyah’s family to ensure their needs are met.

A closer look at Aisyah’s circumstances
Aisyah’s health challenges began in June 2019, following the premature birth of Hafiy at just 26 weeks. Soon after, she began experiencing mild seizures every month, though the exact cause of these episodes remains undetermined. The situation took a severe turn in September 2022 when Aisyah suffered a major seizure, which resulted in acute intracranial bleeding. Her condition became critical, prompting doctors to advise her family to gather and spend time with her, fearing the worst. This emergency led to a stroke that severely affected her speech and caused paralysis on the right side of her body.

Fortunately, Aisyah’s condition stabilised, and she was able to be discharged from the hospital. However, her health remains precarious. Now, with a stroke diagnosis and frequent seizures, Aisyah faces a future without a comprehensive long-term treatment plan, as her medical team does not anticipate a full recovery. She now requires a full-time caregiver for her Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), and a helper has been supporting her since November 2022.

Aisyah’s youngest child, Hafiy, is non-verbal and suspected of having autism but has not been clinically diagnosed. His challenging behaviours led to his preschool teachers recommending diagnostic testing to better understand and support his needs. Currently, he is not enrolled in any school.

Caring for her children, particularly with her own significant health challenges, has been immensely difficult for Aisyah. With Hafiy’s special needs and the constant care he requires, Aisyah’s ability to manage daily tasks is severely strained. The need for a full-time caregiver to assist her with basic activities only adds to the complexity of her situation. The loss of her marriage and the impending divorce means that the family is losing their sole breadwinner, further exacerbating their financial struggles.

Aisyah now faces the daunting reality of providing for her family without the support of her husband’s income. Selling supplements online has brought in a small profit, but it is far from sufficient to cover the family’s needs, including medical expenses and daily living costs. Aisyah is deeply worried about the future, uncertain of how she will continue to support her children and herself in the face of her debilitating condition.

Despite the challenges of divorce and a stroke diagnosis, she continues to persevere. A community social worker is working with Aisyah’s family to implement necessary interventions and will assist with applying other assistance once the divorce is finalised. Your support can make a world of difference in Aisyah’s life, helping her overcome these obstacles and ensuring a brighter future for her and her children.