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A special love for a special child
17 Feb 2016 — School teacher Mohd Affandi Ramli and his wife Raja Rohaisham from Kajang, Selangor are special parents. Together, they show great love and dedication taking care of their daughter An-Nur, 13, who suffers from Cerebral Palsy, a permanent movement disorder. An-Nur's sister, An-Nisa, also had the disability; sadly, she died in 2011. Taking care of An-Nur requires a lot of energy and patience, forcing Affandi to opt for early retirement, while Rohaisham runs a small business. Photographer Nazir Sufari recently spent time with these extraordinary parents and was moved by their dedication in raising An-Nur.
In his spare time, father and daughter take a walk, with Affandi pushing An-Nur in her stroller to enjoy the beautiful views of Kuala Lumpur. Affandi wants his daughter to enjoy life just like other healthy children, and does not want to treat her like a burden. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, February 18, 2016.
Affandi touches a portrait of his late daughter An-Nisa (left) on the wall of their home. It tells his deep longing for his eldest daughter, who died on December 22, 2011 at the age of 10. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, February 18, 2016.
Affandi holds An-Nur as they watch Rohaisham clean An-Nisa's grave of dead leaves. Her grave is not far from their home, and they come to visit here often. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, February 18, 2016.
A child with Cerebral Palsy requires optimal observation, and the job can leave any parent exhausted. Not Affandi. He only rests when An-Nur is asleep, a time when he usually spends getting in touch with family and friends. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, February 18, 2016.
It is normal for Affandi to appear fatigued, but he is not giving up. All he needs is support and prayer from people around him. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, February 18, 2016.
Affandi was a secondary school teacher, but taking care of An-Nur requires a lot of time and energy, forcing him to apply for early retirement. Here, he shows a correspondence with the Education Ministry. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, February 18, 2016.
An-Nur's skinny and disfigured legs are seen while her mother puts her on lap. She turns 13 this year. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, February 18, 2016.
An-Nur cries as she undergoes an acupuncture treatment in Cheras to stimulate her joints and nerves. Her father brings her here two to three times a week. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, February 18, 2016.
Affandi carries his daughter as they arrive at a physiotherapy centre in Kajang for a treatment session. An-Nur is required to come here three times every week to prevent cramping of the joints and muscle. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, February 18, 2016.
Children with Cerebral Palsy like An-Nur need help all the way. Here, Affandi helps An-Nur in her bath. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, February 18, 2016.
An-Nur can only consume soft foods like porridge and milk. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, February 18, 2016.
Nothing cures like music, and Affandi often spends time singing to his daughter beautiful songs. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, February 18, 2016.
Affandi also writes novels, one of which is dedicated to both his daughters, called 'Surat Untuk Anak'. He is seen here with An-Nur on the lap in a cafe in Kajang. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, February 18, 2016.
The family live near a primary school. In the evenings, Affandi takes his daughter to walk around the area where they meet schoolchildren. Affandi's wish is to see a school in Malaysia for bedridden children like An-Nur. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, February 18, 2016.
An-Nur's mother runs a small business in Kajang, selling accessories, clothes and crisps. Father and daughter often come visiting. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, February 18, 2016.
An-Nur is given a cannabis-based supplement by her mother to prevent epilepsy. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, February 18, 2016.
An-Nur's little body gets an oil massage from her mother. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, February 18, 2016.
A mother's love knows no bounds, and Rohaisham is a living testimony to that. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, February 18, 2016.
The loving family watch the evening go by as they rest on a bench at a park near their home. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, February 18, 2016.
An-Nur is God's gift to special people, and her parents are thankful for that. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, February 18, 2016.
A family portrait adorns Affandi's mobile phone. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, February 18, 2016.
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