FIRDAUS 'ADIK' JUST WANTS TO REPAY MOTHER'S SACRIFICES

From FARAH NAJIHAH ZURAIMI

KUCHING, Sept 24 (Bernama) — Para swimmer Firdaus Fariduddin Noordin wants nothing more than to provide a comfortable living to his mother, Jumabee Latiff, who has sacrificed almost everything since he was involved in a horrific accident that almost took his life 13 years ago (2011). 

Firdaus, 25, who lost his right leg as a result of the accident, admits that his responsibilities were getting heavier as the only male in the family after losing his father, Noordin Aziz, when he was three years old, thus he now assumes the role of 'head of the family'.

 The younger of two brothers said that he started to feel that swimming was 'integrated' with him at the age of 17 as a result of the motivation and encouragement from his mother's friend who advised him not to sink into sadness but keep moving forward.

“My hope was to make it to the National team and from there I can help my mother live happily. Like now my name is in their 'list' because if there is any course, competiton, the national team will call me. My mom now works as an office cleaner and now we live in a fourth floor flat of a walk-up flats. 

“In a month I will spend RM200 to RM300 for training and all of that with my own money because the Penang team does not get paid. Most of the money from my mother or the income from the rental house I bought through compensation from the accident,” he told Bernama after medal presentation session at the Pandelela Rinong Aquatic Center, here today. 

Firdaus who represented Penang in the 2024 Para Malaysia Games (Para Sukma) won the silver medal after recording 32.50 seconds (s) for the men’s S9, 50 meter freestyle swimming event (physical disability) while Selangor’s Muhammad Safwan Suhaimi grabbed the gold with a time of 29.47s and Mully Andriano took the bronze with a time of 34.14s. 

Meanwhile, Jumabee, 64, said her heart still pounds when she remembers the unfortunate moment that befell her son, fondly called 'Adik', who was hit by a lorry when he was on the road shoulder as the bus they were on had been damaged after hitting a sand lorry.

“I still remember my son’s leg condition. It was like 'roti jala' at that time and when he entered the surgery room, only his left big toe moved and the rest was dead. The doctor asked me do you love your child's life or your child's legs? 

“Imagine I was alone without a husband, I was like a mental person without any direction but at that time it was just tawakal. So I just signed the form from the hospital and still remember that time when my son screamed for his dead father to be by his side,” she said. 

Jumabee who attended the Para Sukma for the first time to watch her son make his third appearance in the biennial games said it was her responsibility to always give support because if not her, who else would do it.

— BERNAMA