A 71-year-old mother of three is racing against time as her family seeks public assistance to fund crucial knee replacement surgery that could significantly impact her mobility. Chandra Wati, a former farmer residing in Suva, requires $30,000 for a bilateral knee replacement scheduled for March 27 in India. Medical experts have cautioned that any delay in the surgery could lead to irreversible loss of mobility and serious health complications.
Her niece, Bindiya Rashni, revealed the toll that decades of labor-intensive farming have taken on Ms. Wati’s health. “She worked the farm alone for years; every day her feet were in the water, in the mud. Now, at her age, her knees have deteriorated,” Ms. Rashni explained, referencing medical reports that indicate significant degeneration in both knees, with a notable lack of tissue regeneration. As a result, Ms. Wati has become semi-bedridden, relying on strong pain medication to cope with her discomfort.
“The pain is excruciating—like bone grinding against bone,” Ms. Rashni described, adding that Ms. Wati struggles to move around her home, often needing to hold onto walls just to reach the washroom. Throughout her life, Ms. Wati has faced considerable hardship, including the loss of her husband and eldest son in 2003. Despite these tragedies, she persevered in farming to provide for her remaining children and ensure they received an education.
Her children had previously collaborated to finance her cancer treatment in India, which has now depleted their savings. “All her children collected money for her cancer treatment, and that is why we are now pleading with the public for help,” Ms. Rashni said.
Ms. Wati’s daughter, Shoma Nand, emphasized the critical need for mobility. “If she doesn’t have movement, one illness will lead to another,” she warned. “We don’t want her to be stuck in bed for the rest of her life. We are asking for her independence, to be able to stand, bathe, and go to the washroom on her own.”
The family’s appeal for support aims not only to fund the surgery but also to restore a sense of freedom and quality of life for Ms. Wati, highlighting the importance of community assistance during trying times.