Double amputee pleads for shelter
ALL I want is shelter for my family.
That’s the plea from a helpless double forefoot amputee Tuiafitu Biumaiwai after sharing his daily struggles with his family to this newspaper.
The 35-year-old man was diagnosed with diabetes in 2019, where he was told that his 10 toes would be removed to prevent the spread of the sickness to his other body parts.
“It was one of the hardest and saddest news to bear,” he said at his rented home in Nasoso, Nadi.
“I have a wife and three young children to look after and this sickness hit at a time when I was supposed to be providing for my family, and this hurts me most.
“I was slowly recovering after my amputation and my heart and kidney problem hit yet again a year after.”
Mr Biumaiwai said he had exhausted his health insurance for his heart treatment last year and he continued his kidney treatment while at the same time hoping for his feet to heal so he could look for something to do to help provide for his family.
He explained that at one stage, his kidney was functioning at a 1 per cent rate but dialysis allowed him to regain life and he was thankful to medical officials who allowed him to recover.
While struggling to cope daily, he continued to worry about the welfare of his family, especially that of his three sons aged 10, seven and two.
He said his amputated legs continued to be infected, and this deterred his will to start a small business to provide for his family.
Mr Biumaiwai said his monthly rent of $350 was also in arrears and they hoped to find employment for his wife so they could cope with their daily living.
“We are draining out our savings to be able to survive, as no one is working at home.
“We barely make it through some days, now school is coming up and I am worried about the welfare of my sons who will return to school soon.”
Despite odds stacked against him, Mr Biumaiwai is optimistic and continues to hold on to that dream, believing he would recover and provide land and shelter for his family.
I have a wife and three young children to look after and this sickness hit at a time when I was supposed to be providing for my family, and this hurts me most. I was slowly recovering after my amputation and my heart and kidney problem hit yet again a year after. – Tuiafitu Biumaiwai