Teen with epilepsy needs RM120,000 for treatment
A SINGLE mother from Ipoh, Perak, is hoping to raise funds for her 18-year-old son to undergo life-changing surgery.
Housewife Liew Yoke Fong, 52, said Lew Wen Di, who has been battling epilepsy since he was two years old, needs about RM120,000 to cover the cost of treatment.
Liew, who used to work at a mobile phone shop, said she lost her source of income after quitting her job last year to care for her son as well as her elderly mother who has dementia.
“My Employees Provident Fund savings are almost gone.
“My son’s surgery has been put off because of our financial situation,” she said in a media statement issued by Community Care Enrichment Programme (CCEP) Foundation.
Liew said her son, until the age of eight, had suffered seizures after a fever or illness.
His condition then improved, and the seizures stopped.
“When school reopened and he entered Form Two after the Covid-19 pandemic in 2022, he suddenly suffered another seizure while taking a nap, which marked the return of his epilepsy.
“Since then, his seizures have become much more frequent, occurring three to four times a week and even for five consecutive days,” said Liew.
“Sometimes while having a meal together, he would suddenly vomit before collapsing into a seizure.”
She said living with epilepsy had affected Wen Di emotionally.
“He has become deeply self- conscious and withdrawn, and is afraid of going out and making friends.
“He didn’t want others to know about his illness,” she said.
However, she added, her son has found work at a Japanese restaurant.
Liew wants her son to undergo the surgery, recover and be able to live independently.
“As long as he is still sick, I can never stop worrying.
“I only hope the surgery will be successful and allow him to fulfil his dreams,” she said.
CCEP chief executive officer Yvonne Yee said Wen Di was checked by doctors at Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (PPUM) last year and was advised to undergo stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG), a surgical procedure on the brain.
“If his epilepsy can be successfully controlled, he will have the opportunity to secure stable employment, pursue an independent future and enjoy improved quality of life,” Yee elaborated.
Donations can be made to CCEP Foundation’s RHB Bank Bhd account at 26219300009342 (with Wen Di’s name in the remark).
For tax exemption receipt, go to forms.gle/jtbWVNUgxxWZJgzp6
For details, send WhatsApp text to 010-279 8849.
