Mr Low, 74 y/o Chinese male. Sole caregiver to 50-year-old son with schizoaffective disorder.
For the past 28 years, Mr Low had been the sole caregiver to his 50 years old son with schizoaffective disorder. Over the last two years, the 74-year-old divorcee’s son had multiple admissions to the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) due to relapses in his condition. Each time, Mr Low’s keen eye was able to spot the early warning signs, and he would accompany his son to IMH Emergency Services for treatment before his condition escalated.
During his son’s admissions, Mr Low made it a point to visit every day to bring him his favourite food and is patient in acceding to his son’s requests regardless of how inconvenient they are. He has never thought of giving up as he believes it is his duty as a father to never stop worrying or caring for his son. To Mr Low, his children are of utmost importance to him, no matter the circumstance.
To finance their living expenses, Mr Low had worked as a cleaner until recently when he decided to resign due to personal health issues. Now that he is retired, Mr Low spends his free time going out with his friends for coffee chats, exercising in the neighbourhood park, and visiting his grandchildren at his daughter’s place.
Despite the seemingly never-ending journey of caregiving, Mr Low carries a positive spirit and continues to actively advocate for his son. He lives by the motto of never giving up, no matter how hard it is.
