antiquity
01-11-2003, 08:51 AM
CARING FOR THE DISABLED: Queen orders help for teen carer
Published on Jan 11, 2003
Her Majesty the Queen yesterday ordered the Third Army Region to give full support to a 17-year-old who has looked after his paralysed mother in Phitsanulok since he was four years old.
Phet Kiewdam takes devoted care of his mother, Ploy Kiewdam, 39. Displaying a moral quality rare for modern teenagers, Phet has received wide media coverage as a role model for children to follow on Children's Day.
He gets up at 5am every morning to cook, wash clothes, carry his mother from her wheelchair for a bath and clean up her excrement, before going to school. When he comes home from school, he repeats the routine, cleans the house and does his homework. Following this same regime for 13 years, he has no time for fun like other teenagers.
"I am used to doing all that. I have never felt disheartened or wronged or slighted that I do not have the same opportunities as my friends. All I want is for my mother to be able to walk again," he said.
Following the Queen's directive, Third Army Region commander Lt-General Udomchai Ongkasing gave the family a personal grant of Bt5,000, two sacks of rice and survival kits. The military is considering giving more support to Phet.
Phet and Ploy live in a small shabby hut in a village in Tambol Plakrak in Phitsanulok's Bang Rakam district.
When Phet was younger, Ploy made do with a Bt1,014 allowance from the construction company where she worked until the accident that paralysed her.
Support from the company stopped seven years ago.
The Social Welfare Department then gave her Bt500 per month. Neighbours also help with rice and food from time to time.
Village head Prasert Pannim said the village did not charge for utilities. He praised Phet for his great heart and the deep gratitude he shows to his mother. "It is hard to find a kid like him," he said.
Ploy said she felt many times that she couldn't go on, but felt sad at the thought of her son living alone.
She has no hope of fulfilling his dream of studying after high school because she has no money.
Phet said he wants to study electronics or mechanics. He wants to work so he can support his mother and continue studying.
Plakrat mayor Dusadi Kanpai visited Phet at home and said she was willing to give him a municipal job after he finishes high school.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/page.news.php3?clid=3&id=7214&usrsess=1
Published on Jan 11, 2003
Her Majesty the Queen yesterday ordered the Third Army Region to give full support to a 17-year-old who has looked after his paralysed mother in Phitsanulok since he was four years old.
Phet Kiewdam takes devoted care of his mother, Ploy Kiewdam, 39. Displaying a moral quality rare for modern teenagers, Phet has received wide media coverage as a role model for children to follow on Children's Day.
He gets up at 5am every morning to cook, wash clothes, carry his mother from her wheelchair for a bath and clean up her excrement, before going to school. When he comes home from school, he repeats the routine, cleans the house and does his homework. Following this same regime for 13 years, he has no time for fun like other teenagers.
"I am used to doing all that. I have never felt disheartened or wronged or slighted that I do not have the same opportunities as my friends. All I want is for my mother to be able to walk again," he said.
Following the Queen's directive, Third Army Region commander Lt-General Udomchai Ongkasing gave the family a personal grant of Bt5,000, two sacks of rice and survival kits. The military is considering giving more support to Phet.
Phet and Ploy live in a small shabby hut in a village in Tambol Plakrak in Phitsanulok's Bang Rakam district.
When Phet was younger, Ploy made do with a Bt1,014 allowance from the construction company where she worked until the accident that paralysed her.
Support from the company stopped seven years ago.
The Social Welfare Department then gave her Bt500 per month. Neighbours also help with rice and food from time to time.
Village head Prasert Pannim said the village did not charge for utilities. He praised Phet for his great heart and the deep gratitude he shows to his mother. "It is hard to find a kid like him," he said.
Ploy said she felt many times that she couldn't go on, but felt sad at the thought of her son living alone.
She has no hope of fulfilling his dream of studying after high school because she has no money.
Phet said he wants to study electronics or mechanics. He wants to work so he can support his mother and continue studying.
Plakrat mayor Dusadi Kanpai visited Phet at home and said she was willing to give him a municipal job after he finishes high school.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/page.news.php3?clid=3&id=7214&usrsess=1