The Struggle

Mr Rajan, 51 years old, used to be a healthy individual who worked to support his family with a regular income. Unfortunately, his first contact with gangrene on his left foot in 2006 ultimately led to the amputation of his left leg. Despite his physical limitations after his amputation, Mr Rajan continued working as a taxi driver, until he suffered a brain stroke in 2014 while he was at work.

On 23rd February 2014, the 51-year-old suddenly felt unwell before he fainted near his home. He was immediately sent to the hospital, where he stayed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for 6 days. For a period of six months, Mr Rajan struggled with an arduous recovery journey and was unable to recognize his wife, 50-year old Mdm Paramaswari during the first three months of the recovery period. As he was recovering from his stroke, there was also an infection on his right leg, which led to its amputation in order to contain the infection. When the case workers visited Mr Rajan, he confided he has been unable to come to terms with his amputations, largely caused by him being labelled as a double amputee even by his family friends who have since distanced themselves from him.

Help Needed – Give Hope

Since Mr Rajan could not continue working, Mdm Paramaswari was forced to take on the role of being the sole breadwinner of the family. The 50-year-old is currently working as a Health Care Assistant. Struggling with Mdm Paramaswari’s net salary of S$900 and the living arrears that they have incurred, the family has incurred various living arrears owing to SP Services and Town Council.

Mr Rajan and Mdm Paramaswari also have 3 children age 18, 17 and 16. Their 18-year-old daughter has recently started her Early Childhood course, while their 17-year-old son is currently enrolled in an ITE Course in Bio Engineering which is not covered under the Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS). Their youngest daughter is studying for her ‘N’ Levels and is receiving minimal assistance under the Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS).

Through our conversations with the couple, we saw how it took Mr Rajan a lot of courage to step out of his misery as he picks himself up. Over the years, the couple has exhausted their avenues in hope of getting a pair of prosthetics for Mr Rajan so that he is able to stand on his feet once again. Mr Rajan has previously received a pair of prosthetics only to be rejecting them due to their heavy weight which in return hindered his walking. Mr Rajan was disappointed and demoralized, as he was eager to get his feet to work like how he believed they should in the first place.

Putting his emotional pain aside, Mr Rajan hopes that he would be able to work to support his family. He believes that with the new pair of prosthetics that was recommended to him, he would be able to move towards improving the life of his family. However, the new pair of prosthetics which was estimated to cost around S$25,000 which he is unable to afford.

Financial Breakdown

ROHI would like to help give hope to Mr Rajan by raising S$25,000 for his prosthetics so that he could stand again and pick himself up for his family. Payment will be made directly to the prosthetic company.

*Mr Rajan’s SSO assistance is currently being processed. He has another ongoing campaign on GoGetFunding site.