“I’ve sacrificed three years to care for my husband—because of love.” 

Sham, once a taxi driver navigating Singapore’s streets, found his life forever changed in September 2021 when he suffered a stroke shortly after dropping off a passenger. What began as a headache and blurry vision soon led to a diagnosis of ischaemic stroke and atrial fibrillation. In the aftermath, Sham grappled with dyslexia, visual confusion, short-term memory loss, and permanent visual impairment, leaving him unable to work.

At his side was Aini, his wife and full-time caregiver. From teaching Sham to read again to managing his day-to-day safety, Aini stepped into her role with unwavering love and commitment. “I’ve sacrificed three years to care for my husband—because of love,” she shares. Sham’s care is more than a responsibility to her; it’s a way to give back to the man who supported her through some of her darkest moments, including the heartbreak of miscarriage.

Fighting to Make Ends Meet

To bring in some income, Aini began a home-based cooking business. But the pandemic hit her small business hard, and with the rising cost of living, her earnings are no longer enough to keep food on the table. With no children to rely on, Aini and Sham have only each other. They’ve taken steps to ease their burden by applying to downgrade their HDB flat, hoping to use the funds to reduce their financial struggles. But with the downgrading only finalising in January 2025, the months ahead are filled with uncertainty.

In the meantime, they have lost access to SSO and MUIS aid, and Aini continues to forgo medical treatment for her arthritis and autoimmune conditions due to high costs. Yet, she remains determined to find a sustainable path forward. She dreams of securing a work-from-home job that will allow her to care for Sham while also rebuilding their finances.

Your Support, Their Lifeline

Ray of Hope is raising $4,150 ($830/month for five months) to help Aini and Sham manage their essential expenses during this critical period. This will offer them the security they need to get through the next few months as they wait for the HDB downgrade to be completed.

“Life goes on even though I am visually impaired.” 

Despite his visual impairment, Sham remains optimistic and determined. After experiencing a series of falls while boarding buses, his doctor recommended he use a white cane for safety when walking outdoors. With Aini’s unwavering support—reading messages and documents for him, guiding him through crowded areas, and helping him cross roads—Sham continues striving to be as independent as possible.

“I’m not sure if I can fully recover,” Sham shares, “but all I can do is pray.”

Aini remains determined to rebuild their lives. “He was there for me when I needed him the most,” she shares, “and now it’s my turn.” Your kindness will help them through this difficult time, giving them room to focus on each other without the constant worry of how they’ll make it through each day. Together, we can offer Aini and Sham the strength to move forward, hand in hand.

Aini and Sham have also been featured on media articles on Spot Stroke and The Pride.