Abandoned man finds refuge at home for aged
Abandoned by a son who stripped him of his money and travel documents, an elderly man has found shelter at a home for the aged - but he is deeply saddened that his family still has not come to see him.
Early this month, the South China Morning Post reported the case of Tse Kam-wo, 75, who was blinded so badly by cataracts that he fell and broke both legs in Guangzhou after his son abandoned him.
He was returned to Hong Kong and spent three weeks in North District Hospital, which discharged him on Sunday. He moved to Lord Grace Home for the Aged in Tai Kok Tsui on the same day.
In that time, none of his relatives - his two sons, aged 29 and 39, and a brother who works in Sai Wan - have visited him.
After receiving treatment and surgery, Tse says his legs remain painful and he still cannot see. He must return to hospital next month for further treatment.
'My legs are so painful that I can't sleep well at night. Sometimes I sleep only about two hours. I still can't see anything - just shadows,' Tse said at the home.
'I cry when I think about my son who abandoned me. I am not concerned about the money [he took]. I just want to see him again... I am still a bit angry with him for not coming to see me,' he said tearfully.
'I don't know why my family didn't show up. I did nothing wrong to them. I am disappointed. The only thing I want is to recover and be able to walk again.'
Tse's sad story began when he learned he had cataracts, and his elder son suggested going to Guangzhou for surgery. When they arrived there on November 17, his son said they did not have enough money to pay for the operation. Tse had HK$5,000, but the son said the procedure cost HK$15,000.
Tse's son said he would return to Hong Kong to get more money. He took his father's travel documents and the key to Tse's bank deposit box.
In Guangzhou, Tse wandered around looking for his son. Because his eyesight was poor, he fell and broke both legs. He was taken to hospital, where he stayed for two weeks, but his legs were not treated because he had no money or identity papers.
Once his identity was established, Tse was returned to Hong Kong on December 30 and admitted to North District Hospital.
'As Lunar New Year is approaching, I want to have a dinner with my younger brother, who works in Sai Wan. But I can't walk and can't stand properly,' he said.
'I was happy during the past Lunar New Year holiday. I sold fruit and earned about HK$300 a day. I could afford to buy food and drinks to celebrate the festive time with my friends. But now I don't have any money to hand out red packets.'
Lee Mo-fan, the head of Lord Grace home, said the home had temporarily covered all his expenses. 'I sympathised with him because he was abandoned,' he said. 'We are not charging him any fees yet. Each elderly person has to pay about HK$4,000 per month here, including meals and nursing care.'
A Social Welfare Department spokeswoman said: 'His relatives remain unaccounted for. We will continue to follow up his welfare needs, including counselling, longer-term care and financial assistance.'
