PASIR MAS: Mohd Tarmizi Abdullah gave up his dream of becoming a chef to care for his beloved disabled brother, Mat Yusoff Abdullah, who suffers from multiple disabilities.
Tarmizi, 41, who lives in Kampung Rasal Tok Uban here, said he took full responsibility for his brother's care after their parents passed away.
"Our other siblings are still concerned about Mat Yusoff's welfare, but I spend most of my time taking care of and managing him because we live together," he explained.
Mat Yusoff, 53, has been bedridden since birth, suffers from skin conditions, cannot walk or be independent, and can only crawl to move.
"So, I have to help take care of him, assist him to the bathroom, and clean him up," Tarmizi said, adding that he earns a living by accepting orders to create souvenir decorations, which offers him a flexible working schedule to care for his brother as he spends most of his time at home.
The youngest of eight siblings said he became close to Mat Yusoff after finishing school when he helped his father, Abdullah Ibrahim, who had suffered a stroke in 2006.
After their father passed away in 2008, Tarmizi helped their mother, Saadiah Yamin, to care for Mat Yusoff until she died two years ago due to old age.
"I've been looking after my brother for almost 20 years, and it's not easy. Despite his condition, my brother has feelings too, he gets upset and is sometimes rebellious, so I have to be careful with his emotions.
"If his clothes don't smell fresh, he refuses to wear them, and it's hard to understand him because his speech isn't clear.
"But I'm fine with it because I'm used to it. If I have to go out for something, I monitor my brother through the CCTV connected to my phone. I don't leave him alone for long because it just feels different when he's not with me," said Tarmizi, who holds a Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM) in Tailoring and Garment Making from GiatMARA Machang, Kelantan.
Mohd Tarmizi shared that he has many fond memories with Mat Yusoff, who is also a fan of dikir barat.
"I like to share my problems with my brother, and I've seen him smile and cry as if he understands what I'm saying," he said, adding that he shares videos of his brother on TikTok to raise awareness and encourage people to be kind and caring toward people with disabilities.