Singapore father of six dies after 14-year battle with paralysis, days before seeing his children graduate

SINGAPORE — A 52-year-old father of six who had been paralysed for 14 years following a stroke has passed away on 7 October 2025, just months before fulfilling his dream of watching his children graduate.

A stroke that changed everything

According to Shin Min Daily News, the late Mei Yuanwei (transliteration) was a delivery driver for a hardware store before suffering a massive stroke in 2011, one day after undergoing surgery to treat a blocked artery.

The stroke left him paralysed on the left side of his body, and doctors were forced to remove parts of his brain to save his life. Since then, Mei had remained bedridden and was cared for daily by his wife, Lin Meifang, 51, and their six children.

Family’s devotion through years of hardship

Mei’s 20-year-old daughter, Mei-Wang Yongling, said the family took turns tending to his daily needs — including taking his blood pressure and feeding him meals.

“He always insisted on feeding himself, even when he had no appetite,” she recalled.

On 3 October, Mei developed breathing difficulties and was found to have dangerously low oxygen levels. He was admitted to the hospital and diagnosed with pneumonia, but despite medical efforts, he passed away four days later.

Remembered as a devoted father

Yongling shared that her father’s greatest wish was to live long enough to see his children graduate. Both she and her older sister are students at Nanyang Polytechnic, with graduation expected early next year.

Her younger brother, Weiming, 19, said while the loss was painful, “he is finally free from suffering.”

Community support and lasting gratitude

The family expressed deep gratitude to the many strangers and organisations that had offered them help over the years.
Mei’s sister also thanked donors who had supported the family since 2011, saying, “Their kindness gave him hope to keep going.”