A mother from Shenzhen in an act of desperation killed herself to claim insurance money to afford for her son’s medical treatment.
The unfortunate event turned out even worse as it was later discovered that her insurance policy actually expired a few months ago.
The son was diagnosed with Bechterew’s disease, or also known as ankylosing spondylitis. The disease is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the spine and occurs in young males predominantly, producing pain and stiffness.
Medication would often help those who suffers from the disease as it is reported that most patients react well with the drugs prescribed. Medication will lessen the pain and inflammation, especially when it’s being treated early.
When the son discovered he was suffering from Bechterew’s, he initially kept it from his family until 10 years later! His condition progressively worsened and the son had to quit his job as a restaurant manufacturer to tend to his illness. Now, he can hardly turn or move his back.
However, the family was too poor to pay for the expensive hospital bills. Family members tried their very best and yet are unable to raise enough money to pay for medical treatment.
In desperation and in a total lost, the 63 year old mother jumped from her son’s 9th storey apartment to her death with hopes to claim insurance money that’s worth 300,000 yuan (RM181,700).
Her death seemed to be in vain when family members discover that the mother who plunged to her death in March had an expired insurance policy which ended last November. Furthermore, if you’re familiar with insurance, there’s a clause that voids the contract in case of a suicide attempt. Which means even if her policy did not expire, the money will not be able to be claimed anyway.
It was reported that his story which was covered by mass media made it all over China. It’s at least comforting to know that the Shenzhen Charity Foundation decided to teamed up with Shenzhen Tak hospital to come to the aid of the man and his family.
Side note, never take your mom for granted. This story proved that a mother’s love is undeniably the strongest thing on earth.