Nias local in urgent need of eye surgery

Craig Brokensha picture
Craig Brokensha (Craig)
Swellnet Dispatch

Sydney surfer and highly regarded eye surgeon Dr Raf Ghabrial visits Nias annually, chasing perfect green barrels only dreamt about when surfing his local, Fairy Bower at Manly

I recently gave him the green light for an off-season, week-long surf trip, and while there he visited a nearby village. It wasn't the first time he'd done so. Sometime ago an expat local had introduced him to Fitiria Marduwu who for five years has been suffering from a debilitating eye tumour.

Fitiria has been spending her family's savings as well as borrowing money seeking treatment in Medan. The specialists in Medan weren't capable of dealing with Fitiria's eye, and travelling to Jakarta isn't an option due to cost.

When Dr Raf met Fitiria he was so moved by her condition that he pledged to help her. "No-one should live with such a painful and debilitating ailment," said Dr Raf.

On this recent trip Dr Raf realised that things have started to deteriorate for Fitiria. It's now become a matter of urgency.

Being an eye doctor he can do the work himself, however it requires Fitiria attending Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney for treatment.

Mark, Fitiria and Raf

Over the last few months a few friends and colleagues have been trying to work out a way to get Fitiria to Sydney. Mark Flint is in the process of arranging a passport for Fitiria and as soon as that is approved she'll be escorted by another friend, Matt, to Sydney.

Raf and Matt have set up a GoFundMe account to help cover some of the costs involed in Fitiria's eye surgery.

As surfers travelling abroad we rely on and mainly take for granted the local communities.

By donating a small amount you can change the life of Fitiria and give a little back. Start 2017 by doing something positive - click here.

Comments

philsmurthwaite's picture
philsmurthwaite's picture
philsmurthwaite Thursday, 2 Feb 2017 at 5:01pm

Swellnet has 250,000 likes - if every gives 8 cents they'd be over target - c'mon!

dfinnecy's picture
dfinnecy's picture
dfinnecy Friday, 3 Feb 2017 at 12:16pm

Good opportunity to do some good, I've just donated

batfink's picture
batfink's picture
batfink Friday, 3 Feb 2017 at 4:05pm

I'm in. A small amount of our money is a great deal for her. It's going well so keep it moving.

indo-dreaming's picture
indo-dreaming's picture
indo-dreaming Friday, 3 Feb 2017 at 4:07pm

I have mixed feelings about this story, its great someone is doing something for this lady and great it's reported here, but on the other hand i know this is not a unique story i see people in these area's all the time with similar problems and I've met guys that have had their eye removed etc.

Tobiasl's picture
Tobiasl's picture
Tobiasl Sunday, 5 Feb 2017 at 9:17pm

So because other people in developing countries have similar problems we in the more affluent west shouldn't help this person? She's a human being with 5 children, what if she was your mum?

indo-dreaming's picture
indo-dreaming's picture
indo-dreaming Sunday, 5 Feb 2017 at 9:49pm

I'm not at all against helping people in developed countries it's never a bad thing and always a positive thing and I've personally put my money where my mouth is and helped whole families in Indonesia I even paid for the treatment of a friend in remote Indo who had TB two years ago because i didn't want to see him die. (many visits to hospital 24 hours travel away to get X-rays and an expensive course of medicine for six months)

I don't mean to be negative but i just cant help but have mixed feelings because i know so so many other similar cases that never get attention, a guy called Doctor Derek http://www.troppodoc.com/default.aspx use to be very active in Nias and the telos and he use to post similar medical conditions and all kinds of things and tried to raise money but i don't think he ever really had the audience/exposure needed so never got the funds needed.

It's more just that life is just sometimes unfair, no easy answers for these kind of things you help one person but just next door another person doesn't get attention.

maddogmorley's picture
maddogmorley's picture
maddogmorley Sunday, 5 Feb 2017 at 11:23pm

Doctor Derek still in the telos - met him last year when my mate broke his foot. The nurses were volunteers too I think.

indo-dreaming's picture
indo-dreaming's picture
indo-dreaming Monday, 6 Feb 2017 at 7:36am

Yeah he use to spend all his time in the Telos and Nias in particular more remote areas of Nias, but now he is only there at certain times and spends a lot of time in other countries last year he was also in (Vanuatu,Ethiopia, Somalia, Liberia, South America, Nepal)

Yes i believe all the nurses and helpers are volunteers.

Tobiasl's picture
Tobiasl's picture
Tobiasl Monday, 6 Feb 2017 at 9:06am

Dr Derek sounds like an awesome person.

batfink's picture
batfink's picture
batfink Friday, 3 Feb 2017 at 4:18pm

True Indo, you can't save the world.

nickp's picture
nickp's picture
nickp Monday, 6 Feb 2017 at 12:39pm

Been on a number of trips with Dr Raf to Indo and every time he has gladly taken the time each trip to help some locals with stitches and other issues. Whilst he can't help everyone in need anyone who can be helped is better than none Well done mate

udo's picture
udo's picture
udo Monday, 17 Apr 2017 at 8:20pm

All systems go with surgery eh craig?

Craig's picture
Craig's picture
Craig Monday, 17 Apr 2017 at 8:29pm

Udo, yep sounds like it, will have an update, but flights have been donated thanks to Garuda and the visa is sorted I'm pretty sure.

udo's picture
udo's picture
udo Saturday, 10 Jun 2017 at 6:31pm

Unable to save the eye but a job well done...credit to you Dr Raffi.