SHAH ALAM: An iPad which was gifted to 15 year-old Mohamad Noor Iman Mohamad Mahady by the Children’s Wish Society of Malaysia (CWS) is more than just a gadget to play games on or log on to social media with.
Separated by hundreds of kilometres from his father in Johor Bahru, Noor Iman, who has Stage 4 bone cancer, said he uses his iPad to make video calls to Mohamad Mahady Abdullah, 47, who works as a chef.
“I miss him when he is far away for work. I can now use this iPad to Skype with my father and I can see him more often now,” said Noor Iman.
The cancer has spread to his bones and nervous system, leaving the once hale and hearty hockey enthusiast a shadow of his former self, at just 43 kilogrammes.
Noor Iman received the iPad from CWS, which fulfils the wishes of terminally-ill children across the country, at his home in Bandar Pinggiran Subang, Section U5, here, yesterday.
State Health, Welfare, Women and Family Affairs exco Dr Daroyah Alwi handed the iPad to Noor Iman. Also present were CWS vice president Teoh Teik Hoong, its secretary Kelvin Chew, and treasurer Wivien San.
Iman's mother, Rozita Tajuddin, said her eldest child first sought treatment at a private medical centre in Oct 2014 for blurred vision, an unsteady gait and symptoms of hydrocephalus.
Hydrocephalus is a condition in which there is an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the brain. This typically causes increased pressure in the skull.
Rozita said she was then informed by doctors that there was fluid and a growth in Noor Iman’s head, and he subsequently underwent an operation.
“He was able to go to school for a week before his health declined rapidly. Since Hari Raya in July, he has been unable to walk. So he has been dependent on his pain medication, which is morphine, which is given to him every six hours,” said the 42-year-old housewife.
The family has been counting their blessings as doctors had in April said Noor Iman would not live past six months.
“I am very thankful to God, as the six months have passed and he is still here with us. Every day is a bonus for us. When CWS came and asked what Noor Iman would want, I told them an iPad, because my son has been asking for one for some time. He was smiling ear to ear when he received it,” said the mother of four.
Meanwhile, Teoh said they were told about Noor Iman during a fundraising dinner held at a hotel for CWS in Johor Bahru several weeks ago.
He said they were told that a chef attached to the hotel has a son who suffers from Stage 4 bone cancer.
“We asked what Noor Iman wanted through his parents and he iPad came up. Hopefully, this will keep him busy, occupied and happy. We have downloaded over 20 games for him and we hope as he plays, he will forget his pain. We are glad we are able to fulfil his wish,” said Teoh.
