“Siyempre magurang ako, dae ko man [siya] matitios [na dae alagaan],” said 56-year-old Lilia Piaña affectionately. Upon knowing about her son’s worsening condition, Lilia travelled over hundreds of kilometers and took her sick son with her to take care of him as he recovers. Despite of her old age and being used to living alone in her small house with just a small sari-sari store as her only means of income, Lilia never had second thoughts of taking her child back with her.
Before being diagnosed with severe Pulmonary tuberculosis which caused him to lose so much weight and made him unable to walk and talk, Lilia’s 35-year-old son, Dandy Piaña, used to be very healthy and active and even worked as a carpenter in Quezon City. But even though Dandy can now do some of the simple activities, such as eating alone and walking a few steps indoors, breathing on his own and without the support of an oxygen tank has become an impossible task for him.
Even though Lilia knew that buying his son a wheelchair would be of great help, not only for her convenience in taking care of him, but also for his fast recovery, she just cannot afford one, let alone sustain his sick son with his medical needs as well as his health’s nutrition needs as part of his strict diet. So, Lilia took the courage to ask for help in ways that she finds possible including through social media platforms.
On March 3, 2022, Dandy was among the beneficiaries in the town of San Jose of the Wheelchair Assistance of the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur, where residents of the province in need of wheelchair receive it for free.
Upon receiving the new wheelchair for her son, the sign of relief could not be denied on Lilia’s face as her son can now go outside without having to stand for too long. With hope and delight, Lilia said, “Salamat pong maray sa tinao nindong tabang sa aki ko. Dakula pong orgulyo. Magayon po ang programang ini ta dakul sindang natatabangan.” Also, for Lilia, giving her son his own wheelchair is something she can be proud of and hoped for her son’s faster recovery.
Another story of hope of a mother is that of 34-year-old beneficiary, Irene Artiaga from Barangay Tominawog, San Jose. According to their numerous doctor consultations, her creatinine level is very high, but it was uncertain if it is the sole reason for her stomach to grow as big as a 9-month-old pregnant woman along with her swollen feet and head. Because of their lack of finances, her medication has stopped as they prioritized paying back the money lent to them for her previous medicines.
While Irene finds it difficult to walk and move freely, causing her to lie down the whole day, she slowly and tearfully shared how her illness started a year ago while she was working in Metro Manila to sustain her family’s needs. Three months before her condition worsened, her stomach grew big but suddenly returned to its normal size, which made them think that she was just fine. But much to her surprise, Irene’s stomach grew as big as a 5-month-old pregnant in one day. She was then able to walk but after her feet and head swelled, walking and moving normally has been very hard for her. Being sick and unable to move normally, her young daughter takes care of her while Irene’s husband is working away from home to make their ends meet.
To bring Irene comfort and aid her in sitting outside for a ray of sunlight and a breath of fresh air, her daughter requested for a wheelchair through Irene’s social media account. Immediately, her request was granted by the Provincial Government under Governor Miguel Luis “Migz” Villafuerte’s leadership.
Gratefully, Irene said, “Salamat po sa Provincial Government of Camarines Sur sa tinao ninda sakuya ta makakatabang po ini. Makakaluwas-luwas na po ako ta pirmi na sana ako nakahigda. Salamat po na maray.”
The stories of challenges and hope of Dandy and Irene as they fight their illness are just two of the countless stories from the beneficiaries of the assistive devices of the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur. In hopes of bringing comfort, ease of burden, and support for fast recovery, the Wheelchair Assistance Program will continue on serving the Camarinenses with urgency and reliability.
