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| Norshillah Abtara celebrating her 16th birthday with sister Norninah (3rd left), Ooi Kong Eow (right) and other hospital staff.-courtesy from Ooi Kong Eow |
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| Ooi Kong Eow handed birthday cake to Norshillah Abtara for her 12th birthday with other church members-courtesy from Ooi Kong Eow. |
KOTA KINABALU : An 18-year-old girl suffering from an illness that caused her to lose mobility spent nearly 12 years of her childhood warded at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital here fighting the disease.
But despite her strong will, Norshilla Abtara lost the fight on Nov 4 with family members and hosipital staff, who have been awed with her bravery, by her bedside.
Perhaps, Noshillah will forever be remembered, not for having been the longest patient to be warded at the hospital, but for her courage to fight her illness.
Diagnosed with "transverse myelinitis", an inflamation to the spinal cord which weaken the muscles and interupt body function, Norshillah was only six when she was admitted to the QEH in 2001.
During the 12 years, she was at the QEH, perhaps social worker Ooi Kong Eow was one of the blessings that happened to Norshillah, who had to depend on a breathing tube as she bravely fought her illness.
On the first year she was admitted at the QEH, Ooi brought her a birthday cake as he wanted her to have memorable and meaningful childhood.
"I remember that she was very happy to receive that cake from me.
"Eversince, I tried to make her next birthdays as lively as possible by inviting staff of the hospital and outsiders as well to join in," he said.
Ooi, 65, told New Straits Times that he treated Norshillah as one of his children, ensuring she was well taken care physically and emotionally.
A few years back, Ooi was also among those who objected the QEH's decision to transfer her back to her hometown hospital in Tawau.
"We were worried that she wouldn't have a good treatment as she had here, as her condition required a lot of nursing care."
Being successful to keep Norshillah here, Ooi visited her almost everyday to double-check on whether she had fever, food was served semi-solid or needed somebody to talk to.
"Occasionally, myself and other social workers would also bring her out to shopping mall, garden and other places.
"She loved my curry chicken most, and the dish is a must-have item during her birthdays,"Ooi said, adding that he also brought other fried food to arouse her apetite to eat.
On the day Norshillah died, Ooi also arranged her body to be sent back to her hometown.
Norshillah's elder sister Norninah was taking care of her since her admission to QEH.
"Norshillah had always requested for her favorite childhood food such as jelly, lollipop and few other junk food," she said, adding that although Norshillah had restricted movement, she was able to feed herself.-
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