JOHOR BARU: At the Johor Specialist Hospital here, doctors and nurses speak with fondness and admiration for Miah Alimon — who has practically moved into the hospital to care for her paralysed son.

They have come to regard the 54-year-old, affectionately known as Mak Miah, as part of their community since four years ago after her son Noor was warded following an accident.

“I cannot bear to be anywhere else knowing my son is alone in the hospital ward. I do not want him to feel lonely or think no one cares for him,” said Miah.

Together, mother and son spend their days mostly chatting and even watching movies on his laptop.

“Oh, we talk about all sorts of things. I will also join him in watching movies that I like.

“His elder sister even bought him a broadband package so he can surf the Internet,” she said.

Miah added she was happy that her six other children, all adults, were supportive of her wanting to care for Noor full-time.

The hospital yesterday presented Miah and 69 other mothers with fresh carnations and pretty woven bags in conjunction with Mother’s Day.

Hospital chief executive officer Roslan Ahmad said the gifts were a token of the hospital’s appreciation to all mothers during the special occasion.

“We want to let them feel appreciated and know that their love is a great gift to us all,” he said.

Indeed, Noor said his mother was the best, and he would be lost without her unwavering love and support.

In the past few months, things had also taken a turn for the better for Noor. He is able to talk and move his body a little but is a long way from total recovery.

“But in reality, my mother is the light for me,” said Noor, whose name means the light.