A 32-year-old patient, Daniel Imo Emori, who is suffering from spinal cord injury since 2003 has appealed to First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan to come to his aid. His travail began when he was attacked by a mad cow that caused him to be bed-ridden since the incident.
Prior to October 2003, Daniel Imo Emori was a normal young Nigerian, working hard to make ends meet and believing that he had his whole life ahead of him. Unfortunately, it took an attack by a mad cow to make these dreams seemingly deferred.
The 32-year-old Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) holder from Cross River State has been bed-ridden for almost 11 years. His limbs are malfunctioned, his legs are swollen and like that of a cripple. He can only turn his head sideways, speak and direct with his hands. He has been passing urine with the aid of a urine cartulary attached to his system.
A visit to Emori in his self-contained apartment revealed a swept and clean environment. Unfortunately, the apartment exudes malodorous smell of urine due to numerous bed sores and urine cartulary.
Fortunately for Emori, all hopes are not lost because the accident which caused him cervical injury can be repaired. His hope is that, one day, he would be able to walk again, return to school and achieve his dream of being an accountant.
Regrettably, he is from a poor family.
In 2003, the 5th child in a family of eight, while delivering pharmaceutical products for his company, RICOL Pharmaceuticals in Onitsha, he was attacked by a mad cow.
At the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu, the doctors discovered that he had sustained injury on the spine. He was not treated because his family could not afford the money. This necessitated his being taken to the village where he remained paralyzed for 10 years with no assistance or medication.
He said: “One day in October 2003, I had just resumed work that morning. I was sent by one of my bosses in RICOL Pharmaceutical Company to supply drugs to one of our customers that had ordered for products at Fege Onitsha Anambra State. “As we were about to leave, a neighbour suggested that we supplied the goods to her instead which we did. So, after the supply, I wanted jump down from the vehicle, a mad cow appeared from nowhere knocked me down.
“As soon as it happened, we thought it was a minor injury. I was taken to a nearby clinic and the next day, they referred me to the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu. After examination by the consultant, he discovered that I had spinal cord injury which is called cervical injury. The most threatening at that time, according to him, was the internal injuries that I, sustained as there was no external injury.
“After running tests and a little treatment, they requested for N75, 000 for the operation which my family could not afford.
“After being in Enugu for a while and the hospital could not operate on me because we could not afford the over N100, 000 bill, a matron at the hospital offered to be a Shorty for us as they will deduct the money we owe them gradually from her salary.
“So, my family took me back to the village, where I stayed with no treatment or drugs. By 30th October last year, on the 10th anniversary of my illness, after i had pasted my picture on Facebook, one of the journalists with National Mirror in Cross River State took up my case and brought the Reverend of the Damarismilla Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) to my community.
“The NGO arranged for me to be brought to Abuja to the Primos International Hospital Karu, February 1. On arrival at, the management of the hospital requested for N150, 000 for admission which the NGO paid. After that, they paid another additional N200,000 for the hospital to run tests after which they discovered the injury on my neck, a tear in my bladder due to the prolonged use of the urine cartulary and another injury on my rib which is a bed sore caused by prolonged lying on my back.
“To effect the operation on my neck would cost N1.2 million. They carried out the operation on the 3rd and 5th. And I was discharged. The next stage was the physiotherapy which they could not be carried out immediately. The NGO got me this accommodation and paid a house boy that takes care of me while they look for a place that I can undergo the physiotherapy.
“The problem right now is that, contrary to the NGO’s expectation that the problem would be over after the operation, based on the doctor’s advice, they said that my condition is not going to normalise immediately but as long as I’m taking the prescribed medication and going for physiotherapy, I will get better. But the NGO said it will need support because they are running out of funds.
“My medication monthly is very expensive. The one for this month cost N99, 480 and I get new prescriptions every month which are also expensive. They doctors for now are not sure when I will get better. I’m begging for help from the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan and all well-meaning Nigerians to assist me to carry out the physiotherapy and buy my drugs so that I will be able to walk again and return to school to continue my education.”
Emori’s medical certificate addressed To Whom It May Concern and signed by the Medical Superintendent and Head of Medical Services, Primos International Hospital Karu, Col. (Dr). E. O. Emodi (rtd) explained his medical condition.
It states: “31-year-old male, presented in our facility on 3rd February, 2014 with 10 years history of old neck injury leading to weakness of all four limbs. He also presented with pressure sores and ulcer on his penis.
“He underwent cervical spine surgery and Urethral repair on 10th February; he was discharged on 6th March, 2014 in a stable condition. He has been on a regular follow-up and he is advised physiotherapy and medication.”
Kind-hearted Nigerians who wish to render financial assistance to Emori in order to have access to physiotherapy and his monthly medications could make their donations as quickly as possible to make live normal life again.
This is his bank account details: Daniel Imo Emori, Fidelity Bank, account, 6160829205. You can contact Emori on these phone numbers 08098929156 and 08086387108.
