Facing trauma after losing leg

Sik Tiong Tiong (2nd R) and his wife Yong Nyuk Tho (R) being visited by members of HEART, a NGO working for the welfare and uplift of people. Picture: BT/Jin-Shen

BY KOO JIN SHEN

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN - LIFE has become a trauma for Sik Tiong Tiong, who lost his leg on Christmas Day in a tragic accident, for he's the sole breadwinner in the family.

The 38-year-old Malaysian, who has been working in Brunei for the last 16 years in construction, has his wife and three young children to support.

Recently, he and his wife were visited by the non-government organisation HEART (Humanitarian Emergency Aids Response Team) Volunteer Group to see how it could help with Tiong's increasing medical costs.

The members of HEART, who heard the family's plight (a member happens to be the teacher of one ofTiong's children) promised to help Tiong and his family. HEART is seeking donations from the public to help the family.

Tiong, who has been in hospitals for nearly two months since the accident, is facing mounting debts. His wife said the medical bill which they received in KB amounted to $6,000, of which they could managed to pay only $600 so far.

Recalling the incident, Tiong's wife, Yong Nyuk Tho, 38, (a Bruneian permanent resident) said they were driving from Miri to Brunei and were on the Mumong Bypass when the disaster struck.

"I was driving the car when I heard a sound from one of the tyres," she said, believing one of the rear wheels was punctured. She woke her husband, who was resting at the time, to have a look.

Then she went to the back of the car to take care of her three-month-old child. "And that is all I remember of the incident," she said. "When I next woke up, I was in the hospital and someone was giving me stitches on my forehead".

Another vehicle reportedly struck Tiong from behind while he was changing the tyre.

Her baby miraculously escaped, though the other two children suffered some scrapes. The six-year-old required some 16 stitches. However, the doctors were unable to save one of Tiong's legs.

Now, under the care of the RIPAS Hospital, Tiong has recently undergone extensive surgery on one of his legs. "There's a metal rod in here," he said, indicating the injury to The Brunei Times.

He said he believed that his injury will no longer allow him to continue his work.

With the exception of his wife's sister, Tiong has no close relatives in the country. His injury has also forced his wife to be constantly at his bedside. The children had to be sent to Yong's sister's place inTutong, where she helps send the six-year-old to school.

Paul Y C Chiew, Vice Chairman of the organisation, said that anyone willing to help can contact him (8750169) or Chung (871103), or visit the family directly at the hospital.

-- Courtesy of The Brunei Times