My dear late brother John Little..RIP

John Little ak Jeffrey Demang (15th June 1967-22nd June 2011)

On June 13 morning, my eldest brother, John Little was unconscious at the longhouse in Bawang Assan. The ambulance took him to the hospital that morning with little hope in my heart. He was admitted to ward in noon for observation. He was severely dehydrated and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). The doctors told me of his weak heart and lung infection which explains why he has been having terrible mucus and cough. I took care of him in the hospital for 6 days with 3-hourly feeding time of Enercal milk via feeding tube. He even spent his 44th birthday in the ward which falls on the 15th. He was discharged on the 19th and went home to longhouse.

During the day, he was on normal behaviour and diet of 30ml of glucose drink and 3-hourly milk. Lunch and dinner consists of blended diet of porridge, fish and vegetable. By night, he couldn't slept a wink. He constantly whining and moaning..I guess he is in great deal of pain but he couldn't tell me coz he can't talk. His whole lower body is bloated due to the IV drip.

Slowly I listened to his breathing and he vomitted...slowly slipped away. I said to him "Are you leaving us, Uni? Coz if u are, please let me know." He took last gulp of breathe and passed away in my arms. He was gone on 22nd June 2011 approximately 9am...exactly the same time my Dad died 2 months and 28 days before that. He was exactly 44 years 6 days old.
Uni's funeral was held in the longhouse. Many didn't expect this coming; some even shocked to hear he was admitted to hospital before that.

He was buried in Lebaan Cemetery in Bawang Assan alongside
my late aunt Rita Satu ak Suli (dad's youngest sister), my grandfather Suli ak Berinyang and grandmother Ensuna ak Along (both my dad's parents) on 24th June 2011. 'Ngetas ulit' was a week after the funeral.

I'm starting a new life alone now. This year proves to be very,very difficult for me. It's a bumpy road ahead...coming out of a directionless relationship, had to quit my job of three years, I had a breakdown and depression. I know it's a scar would take a long time to heal, but I wanna survive this and I pray I will survive this.

Farewell, dear brother


On the way to the cemetery


Final resting place