Bedridden Aca Meets His Idol
Paulino Aca, 31, a big fan of ‘the Iceman’, got to meet the man himself yesterday.
Sir Michael Niko Jones, the New Zealand rugby legend who was nicknamed ‘the Iceman’ or ‘Ice’ paid a special visit to Aca at his home in Vatuwaqa.
Aca is a recipient of help from the Viti Spinal Injuries Association of Fiji (VSIAF) and has been suffering from spinal injuries for the past eight years.
Since the day he was injured, Aca has never stepped out of his house. The injury had isolated him within the confines of his room.
Aca was injured while playing rugby with his mates at a ground near his Vatuwaqa home.
His life was shattered. Now he can only watch his mates including the Fiji’s Olympic gold medal winning 7s captain Osea Kolinisau build their rugby careers.
Meeting Sir Michael was certainly a boost.
“I used to be one of your biggest fans and I used to play number 7 too,” Aca told Sir Michael.
“I’m just one of your big brothers nothing special,” Sir Michael replied.
He encouraged Aca to trust in God and enjoy life to the fullest.
“We don’t understand why things happen in life, at the end of the day our faith still has to remain firm and our trust in God, because He is faithful,” he said.
“I can’t even comprehend what you are going through but God will always be faithful to you despite your circumstances, you got to keep trusting that God has a plan for your life.
“Jeremiah 29:11, it’s a good plan, you’ve got to have hope and somehow through it all you need to keep pressing into GOD and keep your faith strong and know that he will never leave you nor will he forsake you.”
Sir Michael also visited Sekonaia Kotobalavu at his home in Kalabu.
Sir Michael said he was humbled to have visited the two recipients and said they are his heroes. He gave out gifts to both of them.
The Iceman will be returning to New Zealand today.
Edited by Rosi Doviverata
