KUALA LUMPUR: For the past five years, Noor Iskandar Izzudin Abu Mansor, 13, has been walking with a prosthetic leg.
The teenager had his left leg amputated due to a mishap when he was 8 years old.
According to a report from Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Iskandar needs a new prosthetic leg as he has outgrown his current one.
The family needs to raise RM10,384 for a new prosthetic leg at Teh Lin Prosthetic and Orthopaedic Co Sdn Bhd to avoid his condition from worsening.
His sister, Nor Arifah Abu Mansor, 28, said their mother, who is a single mother, has an unstable income as she sold only rice and some side dishes.
Nor Arifah said doctors were concerned as Iskandar's prosthetic leg that had softened and was ill-fitting, which may affect his spine in future.
She said that when the mishap occurred, Iskandar was going to a shop with his neighbour on a motorcycle but they fell and slipped into a ditch.
This led to him suffering injuries that nearly led to his leg being detached.
Nor Arifah said HKL tried their best to reattach his left leg, but in the end they had to amputate it.
Despite Iskandar's disability, it has not deterred him from living an ordinary life like any other kid, but he is unable to participate in extreme activities.
She added she was grateful to the Iskandar's school teachers, who have been providing him with easy access to facilities.
"Iskandar's class is on the ground floor, which allows him to go the canteen easily.
"Unfortunately, he still needs to go to the upper floors to get to other facilities like the library and laboratories.
"I feel uneasy because secondary schools have more people compared with primary schools. What if Iskandar falls down when his friends rush up the stairs?
"The doctors have advised Iskandar to reduce physical activities due to the prosthetic leg's poor condition. But, what can we do? He still needs to climb up those stairs to go to the other school facilities.
Nor Arifah hoped Iskandar would get the new prosthetic leg as soon as possible.
Teh Lin Prosthetic and Orthopaedic representative Nor Hashimah Ismail said Iskandar would be given a new prosthetic leg, where the prosthetic knee section would be adult sized, making it safer for him to walk in.
"But, its height will be measured according to Iskandar's current height once payment is done," she added.
Iskandar hoped he would be able to get the new prosthetic limb soon as it would make it easier for him to go to school.
Those who wish to help can send cheques made payable to the Media Prima-NSTP Humanitarian Fund to the Group Corporate Communications Department, Media Prima Bhd, Level 1, Anjung Riong, Balai Berita, 31 Jalan Riong, 59100 Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, with the patient's name written on the reverse side of the cheque.
Donors may also deposit their donation to Bank Muamalat account number 1401-0008-8427-18 or Maybank account number 5141-0532-3170 and indicate the patient's name in the recipients reference or other payment details fields.
All donations to the Media Prima-NSTP Humanitarian Fund are tax deductible.