Ng Chye Hock: Sit, sit. Wait for a second, don't take it off first, tie it up first.

Ng Chye Hock: I am Ng Chye Hock, 62 years old this year. Besides my wife, I also have a mentally disabled daughter at home.

Ng Chye Hock: She can't wash her face or brush her teeth. The most painful thing is that I have to face her every day and help her shower. After all, she is 30 years old and a woman. Then there is another challenge because women have their periods, but I still have to do it, there is no choice.

His daughter also suffers from epilepsy

She falls down easily and has difficulty moving

His daughter was usually looked after by his wife

But it's not possible now...

After his daughter was infected with COVID-19

His wife also got infected later

As an organ transplant patient

She was left in a critical condition and had to be sent to the hospital

Ng Chye Hock: Her condition worsened and there was no way for oxygen to enter her body. The doctor told her that she had to be intubated.   

For over 30 years

A partner who has weathered various storms together

Ng Chye Hock: She texted me and said, "I'm sorry, I'll have to leave before you".

Ng Chye Hock: (At the time) I felt broken, even when I see (that text message) now, I'm sorry.

Ng Chye Hock: I kept persuading her that she really can't go, we have to live on, we have to bring up this daughter, and everyone is important.

Dear, please don't give up hope.

You will recover.

Our daughter and I can't live without you.

As the sole breadwinner of the family

Ng Chye Hock also does part-time work as a house-mover

Ng Chye Hock: When I go out for house moving work or goods delivery, there is no one to take care of (my daughter). I have to bring her out so that I can work with peace of mind.

Ng Chye Hock: Moving is basically quite fast, (my) speed is fast. But (in the process) of going up and down, I would be worried about what she is doing in the car.

His monthly income

depends on the number of jobs he receives

Ng Chye Hock: She likes to play with books and these (objects) by herself, so she puts her focus on the things in her hands.

Ng Chye Hock: Basically, it's been fine so far, nothing has happened. Just one time when she was sitting in the van, we were on the highway, and a van happened to be moving on the left side. She suddenly went to pull the inner handle of the door, and when she pulled it, the door opened, right? I was scared and stopped immediately.

It has been suggested by some

to temporarily send his daughter to a nursing home

Ng Chye Hock: As a parent, she can't stay home, just because I want to work and I put her there. I would rather sacrifice a little by taking her out of the house with me.

Ng Chye Hock: My brothers and sisters said they could help me look after her, but because this is not a one-time thing. There may be many such days in the future, I can't ask them to help me forever.

Ng Chye Hock: (During that period), I couldn't sleep. And sometimes I complained about why did God keep testing me and so on.

Ng Chye Hock: The biggest motivation is my daughter. Sometimes she would make me laugh when I’m feeling frustrated. She sometimes calls me Dad and that makes me really happy.

With the assistance of the Ministry of Manpower

A maid has been hired to take care of his daughter

And after 3 months of treatment

His wife could finally return home

Ang Ah Choon (Ng Chye Hock’s wife): (The mood of returning home) is a little complicated. Originally, I told the doctor that I wanted to be able to walk before returning home. But the doctor told me that in my situation, it takes time and there is no fast recovery.

Ang Ah Choon (Ng Chye Hock’s wife): I had been taking care of my daughter in the past, so I was afraid that he doesn't know how to care for her. (But now) I think he takes quite good care of her.

Ang Ah Choon (Ng Chye Hock’s wife): Now I need to do physiotherapy twice a week. I hope my legs will recover quickly and be able to walk.

Chew Ann Jee Nancy (Tzu Chi Volunteer): In Tzu Chi, we treat our fellow volunteers like the brothers and sisters in our family.

Over 20 years ago, he joined Tzu Chi as a volunteer

Chew Ann Jee Nancy (Tzu Chi Volunteer): Brother Chye Hock is someone who doesn't like to trouble others. If he can do it, he will bear it all by himself. (During that period) we felt sorry for him, he was very thin at that time. But Brother was still smiling all day, you can't see his inner world. Because he doesn't necessarily tell us about (his troubles), but on social media, sometimes he would confide his problems inadvertently. (Hence) we all try to observe him on social media.

When his wife was hospitalised

Tzu Chi volunteers prayed for her every day

and stood by him all the time

Chew Ann Jee Nancy (Tzu Chi Volunteer): We just texted him and showed our care for him through text, and then there were different volunteers who would go to his house in batches at different times to visit him so that he could at least feel the love from everyone.

Ng Chye Hock: I look back (at that period) and I think I was part of a lucky group. (I’m thankful that) my wife could be rescued, and when I was upset, I had the care and blessings from my brothers and sisters. With a good body, I will keep going on. As for the future, I won’t be thinking about it as there is no point. I will just take good care of my family, it's that simple.

"People have to overcome difficulties, don't be overcome by difficulties"

——The Jing-Si Aphorism that Ng Chye Hock finds useful in life