His mother, Leong Suay Kuen, a homemaker from Kampar, Perak, recalled how this heartbreaking journey began when Lai was just five years old.
“At first, I didn’t know it was epilepsy. I had never seen anyone with these symptoms, and I didn’t know what to do,” she recalled.
“The first time he had a seizure, his arms stretched out stiffly, his eyes wide open as if staring into space. It happened four or five times a day, each lasting a minute or two.”
Initially, she sought help from a paediatrician in Ipoh, spending over RM300 monthly on medication. Later, she found a pharmacy with cheaper alternatives, reducing the cost to around RM200.
Lai took these medications until he turned 12, but even then, his seizures persisted.
A pharmacist later warned her about the long-term effects of the drugs on his brain development, and recommended consulting a neurologist at the Ipoh government hospital. After several years of treatment, Lai’s condition remained unstable.
The family’s struggle took a terrifying turn one night when Lai had a severe seizure at home. “It was around 1am. He kept seizing, his face turning purple. My husband rushed him to the hospital.
“The doctor later told us, ‘Your son wasn’t breathing when he arrived.’ Thankfully, they managed to save him, but he had to be sedated for four days to prevent further seizures.”
Lai’s condition left his mother in constant fear. She slept in the same room to protect him during seizures, often holding him down to prevent injuries. “Sometimes, his strength during a seizure is so overwhelming, I can only do my best to shield him,” Leong said.
Over the years, Lai has struggled not only with his health but also with the emotional toll of his condition.
“He once told me, ‘Mum, why did you give birth to me like this? Do you know I’ve thought about ending it all?’ Those words broke my heart,” his mother revealed, holding back tears.
Despite these challenges, Lai now works at a restaurant in Ipoh, where his employer accommodates his condition. However, his seizures still rob him of a normal life.
A glimmer of hope has appeared in the form of the groundbreaking stereo electroencephalogram (SEEG) minimally invasive procedure available in the United States. This advanced technique has a success rate of over 90%, offering Lai the chance to live a seizure-free life.
The procedure uses tiny electrodes to map the brain’s epileptic regions, minimising the need for open-brain surgery and significantly reducing risks. This could be Lai’s best – and only – chance to reclaim his future.
To generate the funds required, Lai and his mum have the help of CCEP Foundation, an NGO that assists the poor, needy, deprived and underprivileged.
“At his age, Zheng Wei should be a strong, vibrant young man with a bright future ahead of him. Unfortunately, his life has been drastically altered by this condition,” its CEO, Yvonne Lee, told FMT Lifestyle.
“His struggles deeply resonate with us at CCEP Foundation. We are doing everything in our power to raise funds for him, with the hope that he can recover soon and regain a normal life.
“We envision a future where he has a healthy body, contributes to society, and builds a happy family of his own,” she concluded.
To help Lai, donations can be made directly to CCEP Foundation, RHB bank account number 2621 9300 009 342. Please use the reference ‘Lai Zheng Wei’.
If you require a receipt, kindly send them a WhatsApp message.
Learn more about CCEP Foundation here, or contact 03-7955 9999 / 010-279 8849.