Wheelchair Injects New Life For Elderly Couple
An elderly couple is grateful for the donation of a wheelchair by the Assistant Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Veena Bhatnagar.
For 16 years Shri Nand was deprived of mobility, but that handicap has now ended after he was handed a wheelchair on Sunday.
The 72-year-old of Siberia, Labasa had been bedridden after he suffered from stroke three times.
His wife, Bimla Wati, 62, was emotional and breathed a sigh of relief when Mrs Bhatnagar visited them.
“I went to so many places asking for wheelchair assistance, however it was only when Mrs Bhatnagar visited my place last month that I requested her for help,” Mrs Wati said.
“After one month’s time she returned and we are forever grateful to her. Life without an aid for mobility is most difficult.
“Now that my husband can move anywhere in the house, he will be encouraged to live his life and do something to keep his mind busy.”
When Mrs Bhatnagar visited the couple on Sunday he was in tears and couldn’t stop thanking her.
Mr Nand said I was once a sugarcane farm labourer, vegetable farmer and fisherman.
“I worked hard with my wife to raise three children and build a house,” he said.
“When it was time for me to enjoy my life my freedom of movement was stolen.
“My wife faces a lot of struggles. She goes to town to collect the social welfare assistance to buy food and diapers for me.
“She has a small poultry farm and whatever money she gets she uses it on the family.”
Mrs Bhatnagar distributed a total of seven wheelchairs in the Macuata and Bua provinces.
“It was during one of the talanoa sessions in Labasa when I came to know about a few people with disabilities and elderly in need of wheelchairs,” Mrs Bhatnagar said.
“It was then I decided to help them out.
The FijiFirst Government is compassionate about all Fijians, senior citizens, women and children.
“Basically we are here to fulfil our obligations and duties.”
Edited by Percy Kean
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