Sick woman receives assistance from OPM

Hanna Dixon, a resident of Lawrence Tavern, St Andrew, is expressing her appreciation for the assistance that she has received from officials within the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), who recently gave her a cheque valuing $250,000 for an operation to remove a blocked stent from her body.

She stated that although the money will only cover 50 per cent of the operation cost, she is extremely grateful for the support.

“I am really happy. I did the operation last month to remove the stent at The University Hospital of the West Indies and then I got the cheque. I am grateful because I know the bill has to be settled. I want to thank THE STAR and everyone who helped me. I had gotten some funds on the GoFundMe, which helped to take care of the medication,” she said.

Dixon’s story was featured in THE STAR on March 4. After it was published, OPM officials reached out to the newspaper to inquire about Dixon.

Ever since she was diagnosed with polymyositis at age 16, her health has been deteriorating drastically. In addition to seizures and blood clots, the 31-year-old Dixon also suffers from diabetes and kidney stones.

Polymyositis is an uncommon inflammatory disease that causes muscle weakness, affecting both sides of your body.

MAKES MOVING DIFFICULT

Having this condition can make it difficult to climb stairs, rise from a seated position, lift objects or reach overhead. It affects adults in their 30s, 40s or 50s.

It’s more common in black people than in white, and women are affected more often than men. Signs and symptoms usually develop gradually over weeks or months.

“I get dizzy spells and faint a lot more now, so I am not sure if it’s a side effect of the operation. But in spite of that I am really grateful because I could be six feet under the ground now. I am just hoping that I will get the assistance to fully pay the hospital bill,” she said.