The World Of Tzu Chi(Vol.112)

2019 • 07 40 temporarily lost her senses, leading the doctor to suspect her of having sustained a brain injury. Fortunately, she regained full consciousness two days later. A little support goes a long way Kim Seng admitted that his mind went blank upon first learning of Kyin Kyu’s diagnosis. His primary concern was that he was unable to afford the costly medical expenses. He turned to various sources for assistance, but all his applications for aid were rejected. He was well aware that relying on loans from family and friends to pay the bills was not a sustainable solution to relieve the financial burden caused by Kyin Kyu’s chronic condition. One day, Kyin Kyu’s daughter returned from school and informed her mother that one teacher, a Tzu Chi volunteer, had offered to nominate the family for financial assistance. A dejected Kyin Kyu sighed, “There’s no point in applying. I’m not even a Malaysian citizen.” “The sponsoring organization [Tzu Chi] is not from Malaysia either. It’s based in Taiwan!” came the girl’s innocuous reply. Kyin Kyu decided to try her luck and submitted the application form. Shewas rewarded with good news a week later. “Tzu Chi volunteers visited me at home and brought me hope,” recalled Kyin Kyu joyfully. Recounting her first visit to Kyin Kyu’s home, volunteer Cheow Sit Yuen was overcome with sympathy at the atmosphere of gloom looming over the household. Kim Seng was shrouded in sorrow as the burden of the medical expenses weighed heavily on him. On the other hand, Kyin Kyu appeared to have lost all hope and was on the verge of tears, her face creased with worry for her illness and her children. Kim Seng is deeply grateful to Tzu Chi for easing his burden by partially subsidizing Kyin Kyu’s dialysis fees. He is also thankful to his children’s teachers for providing free tuition classes and transportation to his children, allowing him peace of mind to focus on his work. From denial to acceptance When Kyin Kyu first started on dialysis treatment, she fell into despair and was prone to lamenting her suffering. It took the care and concern of a young acquaintance she befriended during treatment to free her from her inner turmoil. The acquaintance reminded her to be grateful as her condition only called for dialysis treatment, unlike more life-threatening diseases like cancer. These words of advice gave Kyin Kyu a fresh perspective on her illness and left her with renewed fortitude to take her illness in her stride. Besides providing financial relief, volunteers would also conduct monthly visits to Kyin Kyu’s home to keep tabs on her health and ouching Life Story Kyin Kyu strives to be independent by taking up casual employment, and donates spare change to charity.