Parkinson’s disease limits father’s ability to paint

Kiru Muniandy of Butterworth, Malaysia, received a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis in January 2023 at age 50, impacting his ability to pursue his passions and care for his family.

Before his diagnosis, Kiru worked as an artist and in manufacturing, while also participating in charity work and motorcycle groups. He began experiencing physical symptoms, tremors, lethargy, and difficulty with movement, years before receiving a formal diagnosis after a hospital visit for chikungunya revealed the underlying condition.

Now, everyday tasks such as walking, dressing, and speaking have become difficult, and Kiru relies on his wife, Chitra, for assistance. He has been unable to continue driving or riding motorcycles, and he stopped working in October. Kiru has applied for disability benefits, but his requests have been denied twice. Doctors have suggested deep brain stimulation (DBS) as a potential treatment to improve his symptoms and reduce his reliance on medication, but the procedure costs between RM120,000 and RM240,000.

Friends and family have raised approximately RM32,000 through online fundraising, and Kiru hopes to undergo surgery in December. He especially wants to regain enough control of his hands to paint a portrait of his seven-year-old daughter, Tammilina, as a lasting expression of his love and a way to continue being a father despite his illness.