See what generator's fume has done to this lady!

KUNLE AKINRINADE
Kasarachi Okoroji’s fate hangs in the balance as help eludes. She is a victim of generator fume and the unfortunate incident has sent her brother and her beloved mother to their early graves.
With a muffled moan, she wanted to tell her story but hot tears overwhelmed her voice as she vegetated in pain on her sick bed at the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Imo State, a few days ago.
The incident as gathered took place in the evening of February 4, 2011 at the residence of the victim at 5, Old Nekede Road, Owerri. The family was watching television in their living room when a power outage occurred.
Immediately, one of Kasarachi’s cousins who was putting up with the family dashed out to put on the generator. Not long after, Kasarachi, her mother who was said to be an insurance practitioner, her brother and their cousin fell asleep without putting off the generator.
The smoke from the generator exhaust was said to have engulfed the living room thus wiping off the family of three before dawn.
The following morning, neighbours who could no longer fathom why none of the family members refused to answer when they knocked, forcibly opened the door to their two bedroom apartment where the victims lay cold dead in their living room.
Kasarachi was the only one who miraculously survived the emission. Sympathizers discovered that she was still breathing when they broke into their apartment. She was therefore rushed to the hospital.
One of Kasarachi’s cousins, Chinwe Azubuike recalled the incident. She said: “They put on the generator after a power outage and they forgot to put it off before going to sleep. They were found dead by neighbours who forced their way into their apartment when they noticed that they were yet to come out around noon on the day of the incident. She was preparing for her matriculation at the Imo State Polytechnic which was just three days away when the incident occurred”
She was then taken to the hospital for treatment while the rest of the victims were buried amidst contest of tears by family members, friends and associates.
Quite sad, her dream of going further in her studies has been dashed following the incident. She had just secured admission at the Imo State Polytechnic, Nekede, Owerri and her matriculation ceremony was just a few days away. She decided to visit home in order to prepare well for the ceremony when she the unfortunate incident happened.
One of her relations, Amaka, threw more light into Kasarachi’s plight. Hear her:”It’s so unfortunate that the incident has rudely aborted her dream of proceeding further in her studies. She had just been admitted into the Imo State Polytechnic, Nekede. She had intimated her late mother of her forthcoming matriculation and she was asked to come home for adequate preparation not knowing that tragedy was lurking in the dark. She had lost her father a few years ago and her late mother had been shouldering the burden of looking after her and her brother until the incident. ”
Now, she is faced with another dilemma and according to her cousin, Chinwe who has since taken a ‘permanent residency’ at the clinic since the incident happened in order to look after her, the hospital management has decided to stop further treatment of the victim over unpaid medical bill.
She said: “My mother was called by the doctors to let her know that Kasarachi’s bill had reached N500, 000. This morning, she was called again and told that Kasarachi has been moved from the special unit she was kept into normal ward which means that she has been prematurely discharged because of unpaid medical bill that has accumulated so far”
Expatiating further on Kasarachi’s fate, she said:”So, she will be taken from her new bed to the physiotherapy unit where she receives treatments as well. She will also no longer be fed by the hospital”
At the moment, Kasarachi’s woe is compounded by her loss of memory even as she cannot move her legs and hands.
“Presently, she cannot recall anything even though she now speaks. Worst still, she’s immobile as her limbs are contorted just like the way they were all found when the others died. This is why she’s been undergoing physiotherapy for her spine and limbs”, Chinwe added.
The family said it has spent so much and it’s now hard up for money thus crying out for help from kind hearted Nigerians.
Chinwe said:”We are just trying to make it public now, because it’s been very tough for the family. The newspaper is the only medium we can use to reach out to the public to offer her a hand of love because her condition is causing us huge anxiety should her treatment is further discontinued”
“We have spent so much and we don’t have the resources to continue to take care of her medical bill and that’s why we are appealing to Nigerians to come to her aid because the family is helpless at the moment”
To this end, the family has made available a Union Bank Plc account number: 4302000140135 for those who want to lend a helping hand to Kasarachi or better still call Amaka on 08060105976.