The Struggle

Shawn, 45, is the main caregiver for his elderly father who suffered a severe stroke two years back, after his mum whom he shares a close relationship with passed away in 2011 from Stage 4 liver cancer. Being a caregiver for your loved ones is challenging enough when you’re in the pink of health, but it is even more so when you’re suffering from other issues yourself. Shawn himself suffers from schizophrenia and depression since he was 25 years old.

Being certified to be medically unfit for work did not help with the financial situation at home, Shawn’s elder sister is the sole breadwinner. The bulk of her $1,600 pay goes towards paying off their home mortgage and other household bills, and she has less than $200 left for herself after paying off the bills each month.

Help Needed – Give Hope

Shawn used to work as a packer for about half a year, clocking in 12 hours of work a day without any rest day despite having to take more than 20 types of medication a day. It has been a struggle that while hoping that the medication will help keep his medical condition in check, Shawn also suffers from trembling hands which affected his job as a packer and he was fired from the job. Despite the challenges and discrimination, he faced at work, the 45-year-old was unwilling to give up and continued working as a dishwasher, working from 2:30 pm to 5 am, yet only earning $30 a day.

When ROHI case workers met Shawn, he told us that even with the $380 that he is receiving from the Social Service Office (SSO), the family still struggles to meet their daily needs and even daily meals become an issue. Shawn told us he used to be able to support his elderly father’s medical expenses as well as his 13-year-old daughter’s school and living expenses. Shawn confided in us that he feels apologetic towards his daughter who is currently living with her mother in China as he has not met her since she was 7 years old. But now, he is barely left with any other alternatives and remains helpless about not being able to support his loved ones financially, especially now that he has been certified unfit for work for one year.

Shawn requires regular follow-ups at Institute of Mental Health and has been struggling with his medical arrears. It was heart-wrenching to hear that he did not have cash to travel to the hospital for his last medical appointment, and he had to borrow money from strangers at the train station. It wasn’t until a kind auntie came forward to pass him a $10 note that he was able to travel to the hospital for his follow-up and can have a proper meal thereafter.

Financial Breakdown

ROHI would like to raise $1,600 ($400 x 4 months) to help Shawn with his medical bills ($140), transport allowance ($80) and meals ($170). Your donations will go a long way in helping Shawn provide for his basic needs!

*Shawn is currently receiving public assistance.