Firefighter dream comes true for seven-year-old

Danial wearing a firefighter uniform given by the state Fire and Rescue Department. The initiative was led by Nor Hisham (squatting). Looking on is the boy’s father Ahmad Suhairi (in black T-shirt).

KUANTAN: Seven-year-old Ahmad Danial Ahmad Suhairi’s dream of being a firefighter has come true, thanks to the Fire and Rescue Department.

Danial, who is suffering from stage four brain cancer, had told his father Ahmad Suhairi Ali, 33, that he wished to become a firefighter when he grew up after seeing them in action during a fire.

“He told me that when he was still a healthy boy.

“He said a firefighter is a hero who braves the blaze to save lives,” said Ahmad Suhairi.

“That was months ago, before March this year when we noticed the changes in him.

“His eyes looked different so I took him to Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (UIAM) Hospital in Indera Mahkota for a check-up.

“We were given the news that my son was diagnosed with stage four diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma,” he added.

From then on, Danial’s health deteriorated and he was bedridden and unable to respond to his caregivers.

“I understand that this type of cancer is quite rare and has slim chance of recovery.

“This is why he cannot go through treatment such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy,”

Ahmad Suhairi said.

Pahang Fire and Rescue Department director Nor Hisham Mohammad said that after learning about the case, his department prepared a child-sized firefighter uniform for Danial.

The department held a simple ceremony to put the uniform on Danial at Masjid Jamek Beserah here.

“We respect Danial’s wish and hope to at least make him happy while we can,” said Nor Hisham, who drove Danial in a fire engine around Beserah.

Also present were Danial’s friends and other well-wishers.