IT’s mind over matter for actor Aaron Aziz, who is suffering from osteoarthritis, a condition that affects the joints, causing pain and stiffness.
The 41-year-old artiste’s condition affects his left shoulder and neck, leaving him in pain every so often.
First detected in 2013 while he was hosting reality TV show Fear Factor Selebriti Malaysia, the condition worsened two years later after he completed filming the movie Suamiku, Mr Perfect 10!, which saw him rushed to the hospital.
“I am unable to lift heavy things now. Sometimes, when the pain comes, I can’t do much as it will affect my entire left arm, leaving it numb,” said Aaron.
However, the father of three chooses to conquer the pain by focusing on his acting career.
Aaron has just wrapped up filming Tamil movie Tik Tik Tik, shot in Chennai, India, for 24 days last March.
Aaron plays the antagonist role, Captain Li Wei, in the outer-space thriller, directed by Indian director Shakti Soundar Rajan.
“After wrapping up filming, I took the whole of last month off, spending time with the family, and taking time to rest and recuperate.”
Currently busy on the set of Tuan Ihsan Raya, a Hari Raya telemovie, Aaron is also involved in the Kembara Amal Kasih Jerantut Pahang Darul Makmur, a charity programme organised by Amaleens, a non-profit group under the patronage of Tengku Puteri Seri Kemala Pahang Tengku Aishah Sultan Ahmad Shah.
Other artistes involved include Datuk Ziela Jalil, Datuk Yusni Hamid, Datuk Hattan, Datuk Malik Riduan, Datuk Khadijah Ibrahim, Nashrudin Elias (Nash), Datuk Seri Shah Rezza, Danny X-Factor and singer Kael.
The two-day programme began on Monday and saw an entourage comprising some 20 celebrities and members of Amaleens visiting poor families in Jerantut.
The group put aside RM200,000 which was presented to 167 individuals identified as eligible for zakat (tithes) by the Pahang Islamic Religious Council, as well as 24 families who also received food items.
“We still welcome any form of donations from individuals or corporate bodies. As Ramadan is just around the corner, we would appreciate it if anyone could contribute 2,000 small packets of dates,” Tengku Aishah said at the press conference of the charity programme in Kuala Lumpur.