Even with strength and determination, basic survival shouldn’t be this hard.

At just 32 years old, Radheana is completely blind in her right eye and severely visually impaired in her left. She can only read large text and avoids looking at screens as they quickly tire her eyes. On top of that, she has been on dialysis for the past 11 years.

“I may look young, but my body is like that of a 60-year-old,” she says quietly.

Health challenges that started at eight years old 

Radheana was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 8. Over time, her condition worsened, and in 2012, she was diagnosed with retinal detachment and diabetic retinopathy. She began losing her vision rapidly and had to drop out of her Polytechnic design course in her final year.

Just two years later, in 2014, she was diagnosed with end-stage kidney failure. Since then, she has depended on dialysis three times a week to stay alive. Though she was once on the waiting list for a kidney transplant, she has since been removed permanently due to a heart blockage that makes surgery unsafe.

Still trying, still fighting

Despite her limitations, Radheana tries her best to stay active and independent. 

A helper lives with her and accompanies her wherever she goes, helping her navigate steps and roads safely, especially in low light. They share a bedroom and bed so help is always close.

“I want to work, but my body just cannot.”

Radheana has made many attempts to support herself. 

She tried interning as a barista and later worked briefly as a fitting room assistant. But her visual and physical limitations made work unsafe and unsustainable. She often tripped, and had fractured both feet due to accidentally kicking boxes and shelves at work. She can’t stand or sit for long, and screen use strains her eyes. Radheana has experienced episodes of sudden blindness in 2016 and 2024 and was advised by her doctor that it is highly likely to occur again. After thorough assessment, she has been certified permanently unfit for work.

“I keep telling myself I can do this,” she says. “I have been continuing on with life despite my condition.”

Still, she participates in upskilling courses run by NKF. She dreams of running a small food stall, like her family once did—but she can’t afford the rental, and her dialysis schedule makes regular hours impossible. Her vision also prevents her from promoting anything online.

“I just live as it is. There is so much I keep inside,” she shares. 

Two sisters doing their best

Radheana lives with her sister, a single mother to two children aged 9 and 10. Her sister earns less than $3,000 a month as a student care mentor and supports the entire household, including Radheana, her helper and her children. The post-COVID rise in living costs has only made things harder.

Radheana’s sister has renovated the home to make it more accessible and safer for her to navigate, and hired a helper for full-time care. Still, their combined income and existing community assistance are not enough to cover Radheana’s basic needs. Often, she prioritises feeding her helper when they’re out, even if it means skipping her own meal.

Why your help is needed now

Radheana’s current financial assistance ends in May 2025 and will require renewal thereafter. She has begun the renewal process and applied for additional financial assistance. Both the renewal and additional application processes can take up to two months to be approved. In the meantime, she has no way to pay for daily essentials.

Ray of Hope is raising $1,600 to support Radheana’s basic living expenses for two months, including:

– Daily meals for herself and her helper

– Transport to dialysis sessions and medical appointments

Your support would mean she doesn’t have to choose between feeding herself or her helper. It would give her space to rest and focus on her health without fear.

“At this point I have no dream,” she says honestly. “I’m just trying to manage my health.”

Every contribution will help give Radheana the dignity of stability and the comfort of knowing she hasn’t been forgotten.

Please consider donating today.