If there is a befitting way to describe Ranadi Rosana it would have to be ‘an angel sent from above’.
Ranadi is not only a wife to her husband, Waisea Tanatirau, she is also his best friend — ever since he became permanently blind years ago.
Their beautiful story is one that would have you ‘wowing’ from the beginning to the end. The Fiji Times team was fortunate enough to meet the couple during prepolling at Wainiyavu Village, Namosi.
Mr Tanatirau could not speak to tell their love story so Ms Rosana did the honours. “My husband is fully blind in both eyes,” said Ms Rosana.
“He became blind on the left side of his eye first then 10 years later it spread to the other side and I’ve been with him through it all.”
Ms Rosana said she had been looking after Mr Tanatirau ever since their youngest child was in class one.
“Before, despite being blind we would always go to Suva together to do shopping but that has changed recently. Now he My husband is fully blind in both eyes — Ranadi Rosana — just stays at home while I go out to do shopping when there is a need to.
“When we would go to town people would look at us. I knew he’d sense it because then he would tell me “all these people are going to see you walking with a person who is blind and with a walking stick – they are going to wonder why you’re still with me.
“And I would always tell him not to worry about what others thought because their negative comments didn’t matter to me anyway and that it shouldn’t matter to him too.”
The husband and wife live with their children and grandchildren in Wainiyavu Village, Namosi.
“At times it’s quite hard looking after him but I thank God every day for giving me the strength.
“With the social welfare we receive I am able to buy diapers for him but at times we just make do with what we have around us.”
Ms Rosana said she was forever grateful for the support she receives from her family and the village.
“There’s always a helping hand around the corner and that’s what gets me through the day.
“It’s not an easy job looking after my husband but I wouldn’t have it any other way because we are a team.”
