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Maldivian begs for charity after he is crushed under dhoani and spinal cord snapped in horrifying accident by Ahmed Abdulla, Mulaku island - Meemu atoll translated from Haveeru 28 May 2001 Hussein feels nothing from the waist down; he has three slipped discs in his spinal cord. Hussein Ahmed, 34, from KeeranMaage house, went with his friend to launch a dhoani from the island beach. Since it belonged to a neighbour they were happy to help. However, for Hussein it was beginning of something that left him bedridden. Chanting to keep time, the men made the dhoani lean to one side, moving the boat to and fro as they eased it onto the launching logs. But the people balancing the craft had underestimated the weight of the dhoani and suddenly the 20 metre yacht was out of control. The others released the weight and moved back to save themselves, and left Hussein holding the boat on his own. It fell hard onto his back and a father of four children was crushed. No-one realised he was underneath the boat at first, and they were all shocked when someone sitting on a beach-side bench came over and told them Hussein was there. They lifted the dhoani to check, but they couldn't pull him out. All they could see was his half-buried face and body. Once again the entire weight of the dhoani pressed onto his back. The pain this time was worse than before. 'When it fell on me the second time I was still conscious. I called out I was dying, but nobody heard the cry,' says Hussein as he tells Haveeru about the tragic events of two years ago. 'Then I passed out. And came to again as they massaged me with wet sand and I felt the seawater.' He was short of breath, and with three slipped discs and excruciating pain he wanted to die. He said it felt as if his waist was being minced and dismantled. He thought it was the end of his life. Because there is no treatment available in Maldives he has travelled twice to India, where he has been diagnosed by doctors who say his nerves from the waist down have been destroyed and he can feel nothing in the lower half of his body. He has used renal dialysis tubes for almost two years, and there are traces of pus in his urine. Hussein can speak without difficulty, but he cannot move around or take care of himself. Before the accident he was skilled in electrical wiring, carpentry and mansonry work. 'My biggest worry is what will happen to my wife and children if I die,' he says from his bed. His wife Fathmath Zahira, and three of his children are also in the room. 'I have nine brothers and sisters. They almost never ask about me. I feel very sad about that.' Food for the family is provided by a neighbour businessman, Naseer Ali of GomashiMaage house. Other charitable people provide the children with books and pencils, and Hussein is very grateful for all this help. He is hoping for help from anyone to go to India for further treatment. With his constant pain and with no other choice, Hussein is completely dependent on charity. |
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Maldives Culture is an independent internet magazine of Maldivian cultural issues.
Editors and translators: friends and Michael O'Shea, Australia
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