KEPALA BATAS: From having only a slim chance of survival, three-year-old Aulia Sofea Ahmad Shafiq, the sole survivor of last month’s fatal SUV-lorry crash in Pinang Tunggal, is now recovering better than expected.
Initially given only a 50-50 chance of survival, Aulia has made a remarkable recovery under the care of her aunt, Siti Nur Atiqah Ahmad Shukri, 32.
“We honestly thought she would not make it.
“Even the doctors were surprised by how quickly she recovered. They did not expect her to regain consciousness and improve so rapidly.
“She is doing well and behaves like any other child. The only difference is that she broke both her legs and cannot walk,” she said when met after a visit by Kedah Raja Muda Tengku Sarafudin Badlishah Sultan Sallehuddin to her home yesterday.
Aulia suffered severe head and eye injuries, including a ruptured eyeball, and remained in a coma for two weeks before being discharged from hospital on July 2.
On June 7, six members of her family were killed when the SUV they were travelling in collided with a lorry carrying soil in Kampung Baru Pinang Tunggal.
Aulia was the sole survivor of the crash. The SUV had been collected from a dealership in Juru, Penang, just hours earlier and was being driven for the first time before the tragedy.
Siti Nur Atiqah said doctors had performed surgery on Aulia’s eye but were unable to determine whether she would fully regain her sight.
“They told us she may be able to see faintly, or she may not be able to see at all.
“We have to wait for her follow-up appointment on July 20.”
Siti Nur Atiqah said although Aulia has not complained of any physical pain, the family’s biggest concern is how she will cope with the loss of her parents.
“She knows what happened. She can even tell us about the incident. Sometimes she asks where her mother and father are.
“When we tell her they have gone to heaven, she simply replies, ‘Oh, they’ve gone to heaven?’” she said, adding that the child seemed to understand, in her own way, what had happened.
Siti Nur Atiqah said Aulia now lives with her and spends weekends at her late father’s house in Ara Kuda to remain close to the extended family.
“She is close to everyone, especially my child. They are like best friends and spend time together every week.
“We are doing our best to shower her with love so she never feels alone,” she added.
Her husband, Ibrahim Ghazali, 39, who works as a driver, said the family is in the process of obtaining legal guardianship of Aulia.
The Raja Muda, who was accompanied by Raja Puan Muda Che Puan Zaheeda Mohamad Ariff and their daughter, Tunku Zara Bahiyah Tengku Sarafudin Badlishah, presented essential supplies to the family.
The royal family also opened a National Education Savings Scheme (SSPN) account for Aulia to support her future education.
