Mr Ismadi had a job as a security guard in a hotel, was married and had a daughter and son. He was leading a happy life. However, in 1999 Mr Ismadi met a big obstacle in his life’s journey. He was hospitalized due to kidney failure but he did not stay for long. He left the moment he was diagnosed. Mr Ismadi said “Back then, I could not accept that I had kidney failure, I had responsibilities to my family and 2 children to bring up.” After leaving the hospital, Mr Ismadi spent the next 6 months living on apples and bread as he could not eat anything else without being sick.

6 months later, his body could not cope with the illness and Mr Ismadi collapsed. He had difficulty in breathing and his limbs could not move. He was rushed to the hospital by his family. When he was stabilized, his doctor informed him that, all those apples he had eaten and his timely arrival at the hospital saved him. If he had not received medical treatment in the nick of time, his life would have been in serious danger. The incident had shaken him enough that he was willing to undergo treatment. However, the hospital bills and dialysis treatments were very expensive and coping with these additional expenses was a big problem for Mr Ismadi. During the interview, Mr Ismadi said that the problems he faced due to kidney failure had seemed overwhelming at first but with the help of a few good Samaritans he was able to overcome them.

Along his journey, Mr Ismadi often met people who would lend him a helping hand when he needed it most. One of the good Samaritans was his social worker. Mr Ismadi said that his social worker gave him hope and is presently still helping him. The medical social worker often comforted and encouraged him, telling him not to worry too much and that everything would work out for him.

And indeed it has. While Mr Ismadi is unable to gain employment due to his illness, he helps out by taking care of his children so that his wife is able to go to work without having to worry about home. Mr Ismadi’s wife is currently the sole breadwinner of the family and the entire family is relying on her meager income as a kitchen helper. The daily expenses incurred and Mr Ismadi’s treatment fees still weigh heavily on the family’s financial burdens. With KDF’s help through the subsidizing of Mr Ismadi’s dialysis fees, his family is able to cope with the cost of living. He is also under the Adopt a Patient scheme where donors can help him by paying part of his already subsidized fees.

While there are still some difficulties, Mr Ismadi is very grateful for his wife’s unwavering help and support. When asked about it, Mr Ismadi said “… without my wife… difficult la.”

Help also came from the school Mr Ismadi's children go to. The school provides his children with financial assistance for their school books and pocket money. Knowing that his children’s schooling needs are taken care of gives him great relief as his children mean the world to him. Mr Ismadi said that while his life is difficult, he counts himself very lucky as he has many people who had helped him along the way.