KUALA LUMPUR: For Tuan Juliza Tuan Jusoh, the arrival of a baby girl with an intellectual disability was not a cause for concern, as long as her child was healthy.
However, her world turned upside down when she learned that her daughter faced not one, but two serious medical conditions.
Juliza, 43, had a relatively uneventful pregnancy, aside from extra scans necessitated by her diabetes. She and her husband, Muhammad Nur Syukri Abd Razak, 31, longed for a daughter to complement their two sons.
Their joy knew no bounds when they discovered that they were expecting a girl, and no abnormalities had been detected during the pregnancy.
"We were overjoyed to learn we were having a daughter," said Juliza.
However, their happiness was short-lived. Shortly after giving birth, the parents were told that their newborn, Tuan Nur Madina Athiya, had Down syndrome.
"I tried to be strong for my baby. I didn't mind that she had Down syndrome. All I wanted was for her to be okay, so I could hold and hug her," she said.
The heartache deepened when her husband called with alarming news — Madina had struggled to breathe. Juliza learnt that her daughter not only had breathing difficulties but critical heart issues too.
Madina was diagnosed with multiple life-threatening heart defects, including a large Perimembranous Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) and a large Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA).
On top of this, she grapples with Arterious Congenital Hyperthyroidism.
These heart conditions have left Madina fighting for her life, relying on breathing equipment and connected to tubes that help her breathe, as fluid easily enters her lungs.
Nur Syukri, a kindergarten assistant, felt crushed by his daughter's diagnosis but resolved to remain strong for his family.
This was not the first trial they had faced. Their youngest son, Ahmad, 5, had battled stage 4 muscle cancer for two years, only to be declared cancer-free at the beginning of this year.
"Ahmad suffered from cancer for two years with the muscle cancer reaching stage 4. We thought our struggles were behind us, but now we are faced with Madina's health complications," he said, his voice heavy with emotion.
The couple is appealing for RM50,000 in donations to cover the costs of Madina's surgery.
"If the surgery is successful, she may no longer need breathing equipment or have the tubes placed through her nose instead of her mouth," said Juliza.
Despite three unsuccessful attempts to assist Madina's breathing through her nose due to the holes in her heart, Juliza remains hopeful.
"I just want to hold and touch her," she said, her eyes glistening with tears. "Your donation will give both me and my daughter strength," she added.
Those who wish to help can send cheques made payable to Media Prima-NSTP Humanitarian Fund to the Group Corporate Communications Department, Media Prima Bhd, Level 1, Anjung Riong, Balai Berita, 31 Jalan Riong, 59100 Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, with the patient's name written on the reverse side of the cheque.
The public may also donate to the Media Prima-NSTP Humanitarian Fund through the Bank Muamalat account number 1401 0008 8427 18 or Maybank 5141 0532 3170. Donations to the Media Prima-NSTP Humanitarian Fund are tax-deductible.