Never lose hope, Stroke survivor says

By Nefertiti Matatia 31 January 2018, 12:00AM

No matter what life brings, always stay positive and keep working hard.

That’s the advice from Tavita Laki, an unemployed father of six, from Faleasi’u.

Speaking to the Village Voice yesterday, the 42-year-old spoke about the different challenges he faces at home.

And he has been through a lot – including a stroke that could have easily killed him.

Mr. Laki used to work but in 2014, he suffered a stroke that spelled the end of his career.

“This is not who I used to be,” he said. 

“I was the provider for my family. I put my children through school but everything went out of order in 2014 when I became ill. 

“I had a stroke which I am still in the process of recovering from. This is the reason I am unemployed.” 

He was not the only one crushed. His family experienced much difficulty because he was the main bread winner, the one responsible for feeding his family and putting his children through school.

The support and love of his family kept him going.

And as God’s mercy would have it, his three children are now working in different places to support him and their family.

“I am happy that some of my children have reached the stage within their lives where they are able to provide,” he said.

Yesterday, the Village Voice spotted him alongside the road cutting the grass which is the only light chore he could do. 

Mr. Laki also has a plantation but due to his condition, he can no longer work there.

“I still have to be cautious,” he said.

He said they had moved not long ago to their current house; they used to live at his father’s place but now he has his own together with his wife and children.

“We have already gotten electricity and water within our home but we are still a work in progress in terms of our home,” he added.

Mr. Laki is certain that anybody can testify about how costly life has become but if people do not work or strive to put their children in school, there is no bright future ahead of them.

“We will never be able to predict the future and what lies ahead which is why it is important to put our young children in school for they are the ones we fall back on when we become ill or start aging,” he said.

“Education is important.”

By Nefertiti Matatia 31 January 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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