Name : Zahrel
Age : 13 years old (2023)
Illness : brain abscess
Wish : To have a reunion with my motivator therapist
For our 900th wish, we share with you Zahrel’s heartfelt story.
13 year old Zahrel from Kota Marudu, Sabah fell into a coma for 7 months and lost his vision due to an infection in his left frontal brain.
Spending most of his early years in Kota Kinabalu, Zahrel and his family had to quickly adapt to the quiet life in Kota Marudu.
“We moved to Kota Marudu so we could afford a house with flat lands, that way he can move around in his wheelchair… but moving here also meant that we wake up at 3:30am so he can get to his school in Tuaran on time” said Lidiah.
“The experience of him falling sick is still traumatising for me.. I went into the emergency room thinking my son just has a high fever, only to walk out seven months later with him waking up from a coma and blind..”
While adapting to drastic changes, Zahrel created a bond with his motivator therapist who helped him regain motivation through his lowest times.
On his wish day, Zahrel reunited with Dr Faizal Zainudin who is now based in Kuala Lumpur. They met at the Royal Selangor Visitor Centre in Setapak and enjoyed the experience of making a pewter dish for each other.
“I had a team of nurses and therapists who were part of Zahrel’s recovery process. He is a special boy. He is a very sweet person and obedient too. I have been in contact with his family over his progress. He has managed to complete his primary education and he is now learning Braille. I want him to master Braille as he can’t see and speak. It will be important for him to be ready for adulthood and with the right support system, he can progress well. I feel his mother is a great force behind his recovery. She gives 100% in ensuring he follows the recovery therapy process. We trained her and she does the therapy with him at home. During the Covid-19 pandemic, she would send us videos on the therapy sessions she conducted at home,” he said.
We thank the late Mr Tan Thiam Hock and his family, Malaysia Airlines, Pavilion Hotel Kuala Lumpur managed by Banyan Tree, Royal Selangor and National Association for the Blind Kuala Lumpur for helping us grant Zahrel’s very special wish.
