Young man dedicates life to caring for sister

WITHOUT 30-year-old Kishan Ramchand, his sister would be left without proper care and food, since she is totally dependent on him to provide home care, among other things.

Ramchand told the Pepperpot Magazine that after his mother passed away four years ago, he was tasked with caring for his older sister, Savita Ramchand, 31, who has a damaged brain and has been bedridden since birth.

His father died in 2000, and he has two brothers with the same father but different mothers and they do not share very close relations.

Presently, Ramchand resides at Lot 30 Section ‘C’ Groenveldt, West Coast Demerara, at a family-owned house where he has an apartment he shares with his sibling.

Ramchand told the Pepperpot Magazine that life has been challenging for him since he has no one to assist him in caring for his sick sister.

The construction worker explained that he would seek day jobs close by and even in surrounding villages, so he wouldn’t be too far away from home to care for his sick sister.

He added that since birth, his mother took care of her, being the firstborn. She did her utmost to make her comfortable and before she died, he promised to take care of her as his mom’s last wish.

“She told me before she passed never to take my sick sister anywhere and to always care for her because her place is to be at home and not someplace where people will ill-treat her, because she is mentally and physically challenged,” he reasoned.

Ramchand stated that due to his sibling’s condition, he would have to do everything for her, including baths, and change of diapers and meal preparation from solids to mashed foods.

“Meal preparation takes a while because I would have to take whatever meal I cook and make it into a paste, since my sister doesn’t chew but only swallows and spoon-feeding takes hours due to her condition,” he said.

Ramchand has adapted somehow to his role as the primary caregiver for his sibling but is often overwhelmed and he committed to fulfilling his mother’s dying wish.

At his age, he shared that he would like to have a companion or to get married, but most female suitors do not want to take on the responsibility of caring for his sick sister, so he prefers to stay single.

Of course, he would like to have a family of his own, but his sister is his priority and once she is alive, he will do what he has to make her comfortable, he said.

Ramchand, better known as “Andrew,” told the Pepperpot Magazine that he has seen his sister’s condition deteriorate over the years and as is, she is just “skin and bones.” Although an adult, her inability to walk, talk or do anything on her own has taken a toll on her physically.

The young man related that his day would start early in the morning. He would prepare meals, feed his sister, bathe her and change her clothing before doing household chores and going off to work.

He would return at lunchtime and repeat his home-care routine, since there is no one else to assist him and he doesn’t complain at all and does what is necessary.

Being a construction worker his job is seasonal and whenever he gets a day job, he would try to do it at the earliest to get home to care for his sick sister.

“I know my blessing is overflowing and if I have to do it all over again I would, because it is [sic] these challenges in life that make us stronger to cope with any hurdles in life and if it was [sic] me, I am certain my sister would do the same for me,” he said.

Ramchand revealed that the only support he gets is the monthly public assistance of $16,000 for his sister, but it dries up fast due to increased prices for food items and disposable diapers.

“Being selfless, giving up my needs to be the sole caregiver for my sister is not easy, but I do it anyway since I have no choice and it is very challenging and I know I am doing the right thing,” he said.