When Parkinson’s forced this Malaysian chef out of the kitchen

Parkinson's disease can be particularly challenging for careers that require steady hands, fine motor skills, and precision, often making it difficult to perform routine kitchen tasks. (Envato Elements pic)

Born in Malaysia, Tan Leong Guan made a living as a chef in Bangkok for many years, supporting his wife and four children. When he was 61 years old, the disease began to interfere with his work. Now, he has been forced to step away from the kitchen, leaving his family to deal with the consequences of his illness and the loss of a steady income.

To help alleviate the financial burden, Tan's daughter had to pause her university studies to work and contribute to the household. Meanwhile, his wife began working in housekeeping. Additionally, they are caring for Tan's eldest son, who has an intellectual disability.

Tan had previously worked as one of the main chefs at Seng Huat Bak Kut Teh in Ratchadaphisek. However, with the onset of Parkinson's disease, he has struggled to find stable work since the pandemic. The condition affects movement and can cause symptoms like tremors, stiffness, and slowness, making it difficult for him to handle the physical demands of a professional kitchen.

The loss of his position meant more than just giving up a profession; it also shifted the family's financial and practical responsibilities. Tan's daughter decided to take a break from university to support the family, and his wife started working to contribute to the household income. Consequently, they had to reorganize their daily lives around Tan's health and his reduced earning capacity.

Medical care has added another expense to the family's financial strain. Tan requires hospital visits and medication costing approximately 6,000 baht (around RM730) every 20 days. This is a significant cost for a family with limited income, as noted by Ten Voon Teng, president of the Malaysian Association in Thailand (MAiT).

The family's situation was brought to the attention of members of the Malaysian community in Thailand, who visited Tan at home to learn about the kind of assistance he needed. A fundraising campaign organized through MAiT subsequently raised 115,000 baht (about RM14,000) to help cover medical expenses and ease the pressure on the household.

For Malaysians living overseas, serious illness can create an additional layer of vulnerability, especially when relatives and established support networks are far away. For Tan, members of the Malaysian community in Thailand became an essential part of his support system, stepping in during a time when his family was already making difficult compromises.

While the assistance will not restore his career or cure his condition, it provides Tan and his loved ones with some relief in managing treatment costs, interrupted studies, and the daily demands of care.