DESPITE her recent accident on set, actress Fasha Sandha returned to work just three days after being discharged from the hospital.
Early last month, the 38-year-old actress broke an eye orbit and injured her left eye when she hit the edge of a bed on set.
Fasha was admitted for eight days, and the incident led to a delay in the filming of scenes involving her in the production titled Anak Tuan.
"Initially, people from the production team suggested that we postpone the shooting of the remaining scenes," recounts Fasha.
But always putting others before herself, Fasha knew that she had no choice but to return to set as soon as possible.
Anak Tuan is a telemovie scheduled to air on TV3's Cereka Ahad slot on April 16.
"If we had postponed it, and waited for me to fully recover, the telemovie could not be aired as scheduled.
"And if that happened, everyone would be impacted as no payment would be received until the drama had been broadcast," she explains.
Fasha was determined not to let that happen to the cast and crew of the production, especially with Hari Raya Aidilfitri just around the corner.
"If it means not burdening my fellow co-workers, I don't mind enduring (this hardship) for a while.
"I've always believed that if I help ease others' burden, God will also ease mine."
Still on the mend
"Although I may look okay on the outside, I'm still in recovering. The fractured bone will take time to heal.
"I also require a CT scan, as the doctors need to check if there's a blood clot in my eye, which would help them decide on the next procedure (surgery)."
But in the meantime, it's back in action for this mother of three.
Her husband, actor Aidil Aziz, was a little concerned about her going back to work. But since the doctors gave her the green light, Fasha returned to set without hesitation.
Apart from getting intermittent headaches, Fasha says her condition is stable.
"My vision is still okay, except that I can only look ahead.
"And if I want to look to the left or right, I need to turn my head or body altogether, instead of looking from the corner of my eye (a condition similar to someone afflicted with tunnel vision)," she says.
Fasha is relieved that her medical expenses are covered by the medical card she has been regularly paying premiums for.
"I had never used it before. But now I'm glad I was wise enough to keep paying the monthly premium.
"We'll never know when we'll actually need it.
"I've been in the industry for more than 20 years now, and nothing unfortunate had ever happened to me while at work.
"I suppose, I ran out of luck that day."
Silver lining
After the incident, some insurance agents are using her story in their sales pitch, especially on social media.
Asked if she is concerned about that, Fasha says she has no qualms about insurance agents using her name in their sales pitch.
"I'm fine with it. If it can help people, both the agents and their potential customers, why not?
"As long as they don't claim that I'm the brand ambassador for so-and-so company. I have no problem with that," she says.
Fasha's accident has also created awareness among creative industry practitioners.
"So there's also a silver lining to that incident. Let's just hope that there won't be any unfortunate incident in future."
Meanwhile, this Ramadan, Fasha plans to take some time off from her busy schedule to visit orphanages as part of a collaboration with local textile brand Alfaro.
She has recently been appointed as Alfaro's ambassador.
"I'm looking forward to these engagements. I love visiting such homes, meeting new people and young children."