Senior Reporter
jesse.ramdeo@cnc3.co.tt
A Maraval mother of one who lost her eyesight and a limb to diabetes is appealing for assistance to regain her independence.
As Nikesha Pierre, 38, adjusts to her disability, she admitted that for her, life with diabetes has always been distressing.
“I’ve been battling diabetes since I was small. All my life it’s been a struggle with the disease, with several near-death encounters,” she said.
Pierre said she had a life-changing experience eight years ago that derailed her quest to rise above the disease.
“Sometimes when I wake up in the morning I literally feel like I can get up and walk outside but then I’m reminded that I can’t,” she said.
“The time I lost my eyesight due to glaucoma was horrible. I admit it affected me really bad, as for a year I would just lie in a bed and only move to use the washroom. I know the entire journey has also been traumatic for my son but he has been very supportive and gliding through with me.”
When glaucoma robbed Pierre of her vision, the former hairdresser felt as though her world had come crashing down. Her struggle in darkness eventually took another turn last October.
She said: “I got an infection in my right leg and it spread to my bone and eventually it had to be amputated. I would have lost my life if I didn’t agree to do the operation. Now I feel that I’ve been slowed down a lot. Other than being blind, I am no longer able to walk and go out and do things, it’s really as though I am a prisoner.”
Even as she navigates a life with new challenges and obstacles, Pierre is determined to push through.
“I believe I have a lot to do. I would like to help other disabled persons and inspire them and motivate them to do more and I think God has blessed me the resilience,” she said.
“I also don’t want people giving up and if I can reach them in any way possible to motivate them I would want to.”
Pierre is appealing for help to get a prosthetic leg. She also hopes to one day walk down the aisle with her visually impaired partner.
“I have a partner who shares my disability and we understand each other and I am completely grateful to God for that. We have known each other for several years, we shared many things including disappointments and it just became inevitable that we took our friendship further.
“It will really be a dream to one day have that special moment,” she said.
Anyone wishing to assist Pierre can contact her at 398-4823.