Through a blind man’s eyes
06 August 2011
BY JOE GURINA
EVEN THOUGH you are living with a disability, how you live your life does not have to differ from anyone else.
People living with disabilities are able to live life to the fullest and do what abled bodied people can do. Take a leaf out of Sadam’s book.
Sadam is vision impaired but he can perform normal everyday tasks just like those who are blessed with the gift of sight.
This reporter witnessed this blind man go about his daily chores without a worry in the world. A feat that is quite amazing for one who cannot see his way around.
Sadam intends to undergo a proper eye examination and he is busy tending his peanuts and kaukau (sweet potatoes) to sell to meet the costs.
From Domara village in the Cloudy Bay area of Abau District in the Central Province, Mavo Manu was not born blind and had lived a normal life from since birth. Born in 1962, he was nicknamed ‘Sadam’ but he succumbed to blindness in 1990.
Sadam married his beautiful wife from Domara in 1980 and produced four beautiful children, three girls and one boy. Life was normal for them until 1989 when the good Lord took away his dear wife’s life.
Having just discovered his disability and with four young children to bring up without a mother’s love and support, Sadam struggled to provide for his children.
“No matter with the disability I had, I sacrificed myself to bring up my kids. To make ends meet for my kids’ school fees and other necessities in life, I weaved mats to sell as this was the only avenue I sourced income,” he said.
His vision is 80% and his greatest wish is to seek medical assistance. But he cannot save the required money for the medical examination as he is concentrating on his last born son’s school fees who is in grade seven at Domara Primary school.
Sadam has seven granchildren from his three daughters.
With the aim to go for the eye examination, he is planting peanuts and kaukaus to sell and pay the remainder of his child’s school fees this year while the rest of the money will go towards his medical examination.
Despite his disability, Sadam has stood up and taken on the role as mother and father to his children.
This man though being blind, had sacrificed his time and effort in doing whatever that is possible for a change in life.
Phil Fitzpatrick comments: “This was in the Weekend Courier last week. I wonder if PNG Attitude readers would like to make a donation?” Phil, if you can identify how to get the money to Sadam, I'm good for $100 - KJ
We'll get there. Tenkyu tru tambus!
Posted by: Peter Kranz | 18 August 2011 at 06:06 PM
Keith
I pledge $30. will deposit at my nearest Bendigo bank branch tomorrow (friday).
Posted by: L Timmer | 18 August 2011 at 04:58 PM
The Renbo Smile Club, a small charity pledge another K200. We will bring the money on 15 September 2011.
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Thanks Corney and Tanya on behalf of Renbo Smile - that is very generous of you. The fund now stands at K1,800, just K200 short of its target - KJ
Posted by: Tanya Zeriga Alone | 18 August 2011 at 02:38 PM
I'm pledging K200 for Sadam. I will bring it with me to the Crocodile Prize writers workshop next month. Hence Phil can add it to the donation.
Posted by: Jimmy Drekore | 17 August 2011 at 11:49 PM
The Australian dollar seems to be on the rise again and the PNG kina is dipping.
We currently have $A608.15 in the kitty for Sadam. This afternoon that translated to K1,413.
It would be nice to have an even K2,000 to pass on to him in September.
Are there are any more generous donors out there?
Posted by: Phil Fitzpatrick | 17 August 2011 at 05:16 PM
I've exchanged a few emails with Big Pat Levo, the special features editor at the Post Courier, and we've arrived at a suitable method of getting the money directly to Sadam.
The plan is for Keith and I to take any donations with us to Moresby when we go up there for The Crocodile Prize presentation and writers workshop.
As Pat says, we can deliver Sadam an Independence Day surprise.
If anyone wants to donate money to get Sadam's eyes tested and possibly fixed they can deposit it into the "SPSS The Crocodile" Account at the Bendigo Bank BSB 633-000 Account Number 141021527. Make sure to add a reference to Sadam.
We will then deliver the funds to him personally.
Posted by: Phil Fitzpatrick | 07 August 2011 at 11:22 AM
My son is also disabled due to an accident whilst serving in the Royal Australian Air Force. So I can sympathise with Sadam.
I am willing to donate $50 if I am able to get the money to Sadam. Many of my contributions to my mother and father-in-laws health expenses never reached their destinations thanks to greedy relatives.
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Thanks Trevor. Phil Fitzpatrick is communicating with the Post-Courier about a reliable method of making sure money donated ends up with Sadam so he can pursue his treatment options - KJ
Posted by: Trevor Freestone. | 06 August 2011 at 04:02 PM