In 2009, the doctor broke the news of his diagnosis — Mr. Abdul Rahman Kadir was suffering from severe heart blockage. He also faced an impending divorce and his health continued to deteriorate. After getting admitted to the hospital for kidney problems, he started kidney dialysis thrice a week, had to start using a wheelchair, and could no longer work.

Estranged from his family, Mr. Rahman spent years living alone in his rental flat with the same daily routine: wake up, go to the coffee shop downstairs for his meals, come back home to watch television programmes. He had no friends or social support. "Sometimes I was afraid that if I fall or something happens to me at home, no one would know," he shared.

But in 2017, Edward Tang, our Assistant Manager at Care Corner Seniors Services, knocked on Mr. Rahman's door to invite him to our Active Ageing Centre, marking the beginning of a new chapter.

Exercising with his friends at the centre became Mr. Rahman's favourite activity. Within a year, he transitioned from using his wheelchair to a walking stick. Eventually, he could even walk without support, something that took his peers around him by surprise!

"So when I go to the mosque, they will ask, 'Eh last time you use wheelchair, now you use stick ah? What medicine do you eat?' I said, 'No I don't take medicine, I do exercise!'" he shared proudly with a grin.

When asked why Care Corner's programmes were important to him, Mr. Rahman said that it's not just about regaining his mobility — it's also about the friends he has made.

"All the seniors — Malay, Indian, Chinese - gather together so we feel very happy!... I got friends! Sometimes when I don't come down, my friends and the staff would come and call me!"

Beyond exercising, Mr. Rahman enjoys passing time at the centre drinking coffee, catching up with his friends, reading the newspaper, and taking part in centre activities such as making ceramics, decorations for festive seasons, and going on outings. He also volunteers to distribute meals to other seniors at the centre.

Mr. Rahman expresses gratitude that Care Corner staff takes care of him and treats him like family. He is relieved that he accepted Edward's invitation because if he didn't, he said "I don't know what [would] happen, 'cause got no friends, nobody take care of me, nobody will ask you whether you are okay or not... You also don't feel like happy."

Even when the seniors were forced to stay home during the pandemic, they still had hope. When restrictions were lifted and it was safe to do so, our Care Corner staff visited their homes and taught them how to use Zoom on tablets so they could still interact with their friends.

From the confines of a wheelchair to the freedom of walking on his own two feet, Mr. Rahman's story is one of triumph over circumstance. His resilience and community provided the hope needed for him to regain mobility and find happiness beyond the walls of his home.