KUCHING: A disabled single father received aid from charity body Hope Place recently after a social worker from Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) contacted them.

Gerald Dato, 44, has schizophrenia, a type of mental disability and is also suffering from other chronic illnesses.

According to Gerald’s mother Biku Empenit, 73, her son started suffering from depression in his early 20s, after having been separated from his wife and left with a two-year-old son.

“Since then, Gerald has been unable to work or take care of his child.

“I have been taking care of my son and my grandson for more than 20 years,”she told Hope Place.

She also mentioned that she does have a small amount of pension as a source of income.

“Gerald’s health is also deteriorating. In June this year, his leg had to be amputated due to diabetes. Furthermore, in August, he suffered a stroke and is now wheelchair-bound,” said Biku.

Gerald lives in Kampung Kudei with his mother and his son, now a working adult.

Gerald’s son is a fresh graduate and recently started working in an insurance company. He told Hope Place that he studied at a university in Kuala Lumpur when he got a scholarship.

Hope Place is supporting Gerald with supplies of adult diapers and special milk powder supplements, which was recommended by his doctors.

Gerald also receives RM300 monthly from the Social Welfare Department.

For more information, Hope Place or Persatuan Kebajikan Harapan Kuching (PKHK) can be reached at 082-505987.

The public can donate directly to Hope Place’s Maybank account 511289001160 or go to their Facebook page to get the Sarawak Pay / S PAY GLOBAL QR code.