KUALA LUMPUR: For four years, Mohd Din Deli relied on a walking stick to navigate the city streets as cataracts gradually robbed him of his sight.
His worsening vision eventually forced him to leave his job as a security guard, taking away not only his livelihood but much of his independence.
“This walking stick became my eyes because I could no longer see where I was going,” the 65-year-old told Bernama.
Divorced and no longer in contact with his two children, Din rented a small room at a budget hotel near Pudu Sentral for RM30 a day while depending on the kindness of strangers for food and money.
He would leave his room at 5.30am and remain on the streets until evening. “Some people gave me food, while others offered small monetary contributions,” he recounted.
“Yet some days, I would not even receive a single sen.”
Among those who regularly passed Din’s usual spot near Kortumalai Pillaiyar Temple was businessman Jeyenderan Ramasamy, who would sometimes help him cross the road or give him cash for his daily needs.
Din initially knew him only by the sound of his voice as he could not see his face. When Jeyenderan learnt of his condition, he arranged for Din to undergo further examinations and cataract surgery.
Din had previously sought medical advice and learnt that undergoing the procedure could potentially restore his vision. The problem was the RM1,800 cost, which he could not afford.
“I felt helpless and believed I would spend the rest of my life in darkness,” he said. “Now I can see the world I thought I would never see again.”
Consultant ophthalmologist Dr Manjit Singh said Din’s cataracts were already severely advanced by the time he sought treatment. After successful surgery on both eyes on Aug 4, his vision has returned to normal.
For Din, the surgery has brought back everyday freedoms that had gradually faded over the past four years. Now, he can once again recognise faces and move around without relying constantly on others.
Jeyenderan said one thing that had particularly affected him was seeing Din depend on people to accompany him to the mosque for Friday prayers. Now, Din can do it on his own.
There was another surprise waiting for Din after his recovery: Jeyenderan offered him a job as a security guard at his company.
“I was shocked to receive the job offer and overwhelmed with gratitude,” Din expressed. “Now, he has also given me the chance to rebuild my life.”
This National Day will bring a small experience he is especially looking forward to: after years of being unable to see them, Din hopes to watch the fireworks with his own eyes.
“Being able to see them would be a true Merdeka for me.”
