Making my way to Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien for the get-together ceremony, I spotted a couple pushing a trolley filled with cold refreshing drinks and candies. From a distance, they looked like an ordinary couple going about their business in the capital, like everybody else.
However, something about them piqued my curiosity.
Upon initial observation, I noticed a physical anomaly in Norinah binti Narawi’s right eye – the cornea was cloudy. I had no inkling that the 41-year-old woman that stood before me was entirely blind.
As we conversed – the way her gaze was directed at me and the way she responded – I thought she was able to see, at least in her left eye, which appeared to be unaffected by the ailment.
I was wrong. It wasn’t until midway through our discussion that she told me that she had, in fact, lost her sight completely.
A MOTHER’S LOVE
“I was diagnosed with glaucoma on one eye in 2001. Regrettably, by early December 2021, it had begun to impact my other eye as well. Consequently, I lost my vision entirely while I was expecting my eighth child,” said Norinah.
In the wake of this unfortunate incident, in contrast to Norinah’s seven other children, whom she had the privilege of witnessing being born and watching grow, she was denied the chance to see her youngest.
She could only hear her baby’s cries, an experience that not only surprised me, but as a mother myself, it deeply saddened me.
Her sorrow weighed heavily on the heart, yet, despite being unable to lay eyes on her newborn, she held no resentment nor disillusionment.
Norinah believed that this was part of her destiny in life. There was a touch of heartache in her statement, but also acceptance. The mother of eight shared how she found solace in the small glimpses of her baby’s face in dreams, which she believes were granted by Allah the Almighty.
Even in the absence of sight, Norinah takes the initiative and puts in the effort to contribute to household tasks.
She engages in activities, like doing laundry and folding clothes, aiming to alleviate her husband’s daily workload as he tends to the needs of their young children and managing various other household chores.
A FATHER’S DUTY
Norinah’s husband, Alizam, was not able to find employment after having to take on the responsibilities of caring for their children.
The 33-year-old said that as much as he wanted to find a job to help put food on the table for his family, the responsibilities he bears can be overwhelming.
“Even if there is a job opportunity, I know I won’t be able to fully commit to it, given the impossibility of leaving my visually-impaired wife and our children at home while I’m away for work,” said Alizam.
The couple agreed that she should assume the role of a primary caregiver for their young children and to tend to his wife’s needs.
“As an alternative, I decided to embark on a small business venture to ensure our financial stability,” said the 33-year-old.
Being a person with disability (OKU), Norinah receives financial aid through the monthly OKU allowance provided by the Community Development Department, also known as JAPEM.
A MODEST HOME, A BIG HEART
Among their eight children, spanning just over 30 months to 15 years old, Norinah’s parents are currently caring for five of the school-going children.
The remaining three reside with them in a modest single-bedroom house in the Tutong District.
“I’m grateful to my parents for looking after my five children. My siblings still live under my parents’ roof, so to let my parents also take care of my three youngest ones would be too much,” said Norinah.
Currently, only her five older children are provided financial assistance from the Brunei Islamic Religious Council (MUIB), in view that both she and her husband are seen as having the capability to generate income.
“We deeply appreciate the support extended to our five children, which alleviates the responsibilities shouldered by my parents in caring for them, despite my imperfections and physical limitations.
“Nevertheless, as time progresses and the cost of essential commodities rises, we do face some challenges.”
Nonetheless, with utmost determination and Allah the Almighty’s will, Norinah and Alizam remain committed to persevering through their circumstances.
AN UNYIELDING RESOLVE
Norinah and her husband find contentment in sharing one daily meal, and days when they go without food to ensure their children are fed. The continuous hope of improving their circumstances drives them forward every day.
During festive events, such as the gerai perayaan Tutong, they channel their efforts to making homemade burgers – their primary source of income on regular days. Occasionally, the couple also participate in Bandarku Ceria for extra income.
“During the gerai perayaan event, our earnings were promising, and the demands of our tasks left us no room to dwell on our struggles.
“Despite catching only a few hours of sleep due to early morning preparations, which involved trips to the supermarkets to gather our supplies for the evening sales, exhaustion hardly crossed our minds,” said Norinah.
They both make a concerted effort to strive on their own, and not depend solely on governmental aid.
However, Norinah harbours aspirations that support will be extended to her children, recognising their longer journey ahead as young individuals.
“There’s uncertainty in their future as adults, and I hope assistance will be available to them,” said the visually-impaired mother.
HOPE OF TREATMENT
“I haven’t lost hope of getting treatment someday,” said Norinah.
She shared that the nerves in the back of her eyes, while damaged, will take time to treat as the machine for it is still on the waiting list for government purchase, and it may take four to five more years to arrive.
“I hope to live long enough to finally receive treatment,” she said.
While resigned to her circumstances, Norinah still clings on to the glimmer of hope for a second chance.
Such optimism was kindled when she inadvertently brushed her eyes while tending to her hair, a brief jolt of pain she felt signalled the potential for nerve recovery, according to her doctors.
She maintained her annual medical evaluations, finding comfort in the eye drop that is her sole prescription.
In her current condition, daylight can cast her world in an unending darkness, yet the evening unveils a realm bathed in radiant light.
Occasionally, vibrant patterns would flood her vision, but for Norinah, these occurrences no longer startle her. – Lyna Mohammad
