LONDON: For the past week, baby Ainul Mardhiah Ahmad Safiuddin has been getting loving attention from her grandparents, Ahmad Razak Joffri and Salmah Atan, who had flown in to give moral support to Ainul’s parents pending her treatment here.
Razak and Salmah flew in last Monday from their hometown in Melaka a week after Ainul, who is suffering from a rare type of cancer known as Germ Cell Tumour, was brought here, a trip made possible thanks to public support for her treatment.
“We have been visiting her every day since our arrival and we are hopeful that Ainul will be ready for treatment.
“In the meantime, our presence here is to give them moral support,” said Razak.
The grandparents are happy that Ainul is in good hands at a hospital here and that her parents, Ahmad Safiuddin and Nurul Erwani Zaidi, both 24, are coping and getting a lot of support from Malaysians here.
“With continued faith and acceptance, and a positive mindset, we are going to get through this trial together.
“The trial and challenge are not Ainul’s, but for us as grandparents and for Wani and Safi as parents,” said Razak after visiting Ainul.
Salmah said the tears had dried up since 9-month-old Ainul, who was born prematurely, was diagnosed with the tumour that grew from the inside of her mouth.
“As parents and grandparents, we are always reminding Safi and Wani to keep their faith and have a positive mindset.
“Safi, our eldest, would always come to me when he has problems. He would ask for my forgiveness and ask me to pray for him as a mother’s prayers are usually answered,” said Salmah.
Razak said: “We have to be strong ourselves so that Wani and Safi can be strong to face this.”
He said they were overwhelmed by the public support for Ainul, which had enabled her to be brought here for treatment.
“We don’t know who they are, but we are touched and grateful for their support.
“Ainul’s plight has become a challenge for everyone.
“Her story has reached many and they have shown that they care.
“Of course, it is our hope that Ainul will be like any other baby, that she will be able to laugh, talk and walk like others.”
The couple said when they fly home, they would do so knowing Ainul was in good hands and also the knowledge that there was support from Malaysians in London for Wani and Safi.
“They have foster sisters here who are looking after their welfare,” he said referring to the team of Malaysian volunteers who had not only arranged for their accommodation and transport, but also provided emotional support for the young parents.
Ainul’s plight had earlier come to the attention of a trainee surgeon in London, Dr Nur Amalina Che Bakri, who proposed that she be treated in London.