Deep within the winding roads of Las Lomas, tucked away in a humble abode on Savary Road, live 65-year-old Deorajie Ougar and her 88-year-old mother, Rookmin. On the surface, their life can seem normal, but when you hear of the struggles they continue to face, you would understand that life has not been so kind.
As the rain drenched the porch of the home, the younger Ougar, propped on a single-seated sofa at the front of the house, revealed, “I suffer a stroke on October 1, 2022. Mom suffered a mild heart attack, she had fluid in her lungs, and she had a lung infection.”
She also added that her mother had been hospitalised about two weeks ago and was only recently discharged due to improvements in her health condition.
And while Ougar and her mother are on the road to recovery, that path still has numerous obstacles. Hurdles that she needs a hand to get over. Before tragedy struck in 2022, Ougar was a therapeutic masseuse and domestic worker; however, the stroke impacted her ability to work.
Cradling her bent hand, the woman stated with a pained expression, “I unable to work ... you know, I cannot walk, I cannot use my left hand.” Due to financial constraints, she has not been able to access the therapy required to overcome the effects of the stroke.
However, through friends, she is able to obtain occasional medical care. Seemingly a bit embarrassed, the woman disclosed, “I don’t get income, but friends, friends help me, and a good friend helped me financially ... I have a good friend who does help me financially to go to the doctor and so forth.”
But even going to the doctor is an additional hassle since she has to travel to Arouca to get the help she needs. “If I have to go, I pay a transport. Anywhere I go, I have to pay for a car to take me to and from.”
But Ougar is hopeful her impending pension grant will ease their burdens.
Having migrated from Canada almost 30 years ago when her father passed away, she is now awaiting the immigration division to give the green light. Despite the difficulties, however, Ougar stressed that she does what she has to do and doesn’t let her lack of mobility stop her from trying.
“I could cook. I could wash. I does do everything. I does help myself, you know? I don’t depend on anybody to help.” There is a saying that when it rains, it pours, which proves true for the Ougars.
The elderly mother and daughter have been living without an electricity supply for quite some time. Ougar revealed that to charge her phone, she has to depend on her neighbour’s kindness. “We living on state land, and we don’t have no documents to get it ... Years ago, it had electricity, and because of non-payment of the bill, they had to cut it.”
Deorajie said life after her stroke has been a challenge; however, all she needs to live a more comfortable life is her imminent pension and electricity.
Anyone willing to assist the Ougars can contact Deorajie at 332-7466.
