Fanoiga Falasa, 55, and Ratu Ilaijia Vosadina, 12, come from extremely different backgrounds, but the two have always nursed a common wish – to walk.
Yesterday, the two were part of a group of amputees who were the first to receive artificial limbs courtesy of the Indian Government’s Jaipur Fitment Camp project.
An 11-member medical team is in the country to carry out a 50-day camp as part of the ongoing celebrations of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, marking India’s 75th year of independence.
For Mr Falasa, life as a double amputee has not been easy.
Originally from Tuvalu, he moved to Fiji following his amputations to seek prosthesis in order to walk. Being a diabetic patient, his health was of concern to his family following the double amputations.
A tearful Mr Falasa, who was joined by his wife at the event, said the provision of the artificial limbs would greatly support him in the future.
Ratu Ilaija’s mother, Nicole Vakanawa, said the new prosthesis would greatly assist her son live life to the fullest.
“We live in Tamavua and Ilaijah had an abscess on his lower leg when he was three months old, it was like a normal boil but it kept on growing until the time it burst and the only way to stop the bleeding was to amputate the leg,” she said.
“It gets very challenging at times, he keeps me on my toes at all times and he’s been here since the first (foot camp) team came to Fiji in 2011. We’ve been in and out of the Tamavua rehab to change his artificial limbs, he normally gets two in a year.”
Ms Vakanawa said the Marist Brothers Primary School student was an avid rugby player and hoped to become a pilot one day. She said she wanted to see her son gain more confidence and strength in the future despite his amputation.
