KUALA LUMPUR: Some six years ago, Lok Yok Hong faced unfortunate events in her life which cost her right leg to be amputated below the knee.
The former beautician, 63, unknowingly stepped on a nail and immediately went to the hospital for treatment.
However, her condition worsened and doctors told her that her right foot must be amputated.
"I was speechless, blank, as if it was the end of my life. I never thought I might not be able to walk as normal anymore because of the small injury.
"The doctor said I must act fast to remove my foot. By the time the procedure was conducted, they had to cut the leg at the knee," she said today.
Fast forward six years, her existing wheelchair has already worn out and is damaged.
"At times the brake will not work," she said.
Tasputra Perkim, collaborating with a humanitarian body from the United States, the Latter-Day Saints (LDS) Charities provided a made to order new wheelchair for her and several others in the B40 group and the underprivileged.
"It is a Chinese New Year blessing I guess.
"Now I feel much happier and safer," she said.
Tasputra Perkim collaborated with LDS Charities to provide the wheelchairs free.
International Medical University (IMU), Rotary District 3300 and Beautiful Gate Foundation are also partners of the programme.
Tasputra Perkim chairman Elahe Norman said that they were fortunate to have access to quality wheelchairs from their 15-year collaboration to help the underprivileged in Malaysia.
"The wheelchairs will be built and adjusted to their size accordingly by the team.
"Here we do not see who they are, where are they from, their skin colour or their nationality. Whoever needs it we will do our best to help," she said during the wheelchair handover ceremony here today.
The other beneficiary from the programme was 27-year-old Muhammad Aqif Iskandar Zuljifri who suffers from physical disabilities.
He is now training for a sport called boccia, a precision ball sport.
Since it is a physically demanding sport, he said that a proper wheelchair is needed to protect him from facing further injuries while playing the sport.
One day he wishes to represent the country, and he sees the wheelchair contribution as a good start for his sport.
"My wheelchair is specifically made for cerebral palsy patients. The normal wheelchair is not suitable for the sport.
"I began venturing into this sports about two years ago, before lockdown.
Safraz Hussain Shah, a 34-year-old man from Pakistan also received his made to measure wheelchair.
He suffered injuries in his spinal cord after a fall which made him unable to walk since end of last year.
His recovery is limited and he is still paralysed from his waist down.
"These custom made wheelchairs have helped my recovery. I appreciate the help I got even though I am not a local," he said.