After Illness-Related Disability, I Ran to Find a Job, Not a Husband
🌅After Illness-Related Disability, I Ran to Find a Job, Not a Husband
In less than a year, I went from the left to the right — a bright student to a disabled young woman.
Needless to say, it was devastating. But I realized some things in the years of my journey with a new identity, in a limiting, painful body.
💔 The Man Who Pursued Me… Left
As I fought for my life in the hospital after diagnosis, the man who wanted to marry me — he brought a proposal through his family — absconded.
He was my cousin's wife's brother. Everyone thought that he'd be a good husband for me. Except for the fact that marriage was the last thing on my mind — I was worrying about my A-levels exam results and whether I'd bounce back in time to attend university.
👁️ When Reality Hits, You See What’s Best for You
I went from a so-called “attractive girl” to a girl on wheels everyone pitied — because “no man would marry me.”
I was barfing in the hospital due to an allergy to medicine, and I could hear whispers from visiting relatives about how I can’t be married off.
Even in that sickly condition, my mind was buzzing with one thought:
A husband isn’t the answer for me.
🚀 Take Action — Build Your Skills
I regained some of my health and bodily functions.
I passed the A-levels exam I took at the hospital.
My disability and lack of resources prevented me from attending university — however, I wasn't idle.
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I wrote letters to my pen pal in New Zealand. ✉️
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I journaled actively — by hand. ✍️
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I read dictionaries and enriched my vocabulary. 📚
Then my brother got me a laptop, and I began freelancing online, earning in USD.
Job opportunities for people like me were limited.
Disenchanted with the Malaysian government's “bread and circus” Roman culture and in dire need of work, I wrote to local media:
"I am single, disabled and I don't want handouts."
The article went viral. Some called me arrogant.
For me, it was dignity.
People like me don’t need occasional crumbs — we need opportunity.
🌟 A Great Company With a Bigger Purpose Hired Me
The article I wrote reached the right people.
My current boss was impressed by my writing style and hired me immediately — after visiting me and bringing mee rebus.
I've never looked back since.
Last month, I led the campaign to reach out to Keanu Reeves — with a humble request for him to grace the company's talent event. ⭐
Working at a company such as Genashtim always reminds me of the importance of inclusion and diversity.
I am blessed with so much goodness — and I do try to pay it forward.
Kindness never made anyone poor.
🎯 Blaming the Man Who Left Isn’t Beneficial
Years later, I attended my cousin's son's birthday party.
I’m the wallflower at any event, and I spotted the man I would’ve married if disability hadn’t interrupted my party.
Our eyes met… and for the rest of the evening, he dodged me.
And honestly?
I was glad I dodged a bullet.
Men are seven times more likely to leave their sick wives.
Imagine my plight if I got sick after marrying him.
That was a close shave.
I’m not bitter about him leaving — unlike how some men behave when women leave them.
In all my years of running Karuththu Kannammaa, I have never once dissed that guy.
I diss my parents — but not him.
🌱 What He Taught Me Was Valuable
I’m actually glad he taught me what I should rely on:
A job. Not a husband.
We hardly talked anyway.
Although he had my number from our meeting at my cousin’s engagement and wedding shopping, he didn’t call.
I was busy being the English Club President, librarian, and studying massive syllabi — Economics, World and Islamic History, Business Studies, and General Studies.
And of course, I was dealing with my emergent symptoms.
💡 What I Hope My Story Teaches Women
✨ A man isn’t the answer — your financial independence is essential.
✨ Only your financial independence will help you in any situation — not a husband.
✨ Seize every opportunity that comes your way.
✨ Gain a skill and never stop advancing it — I’m a content writer and I still take content writing courses to polish my skill.
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