The Spinal Injuries Association of Fiji hopes that many corporate bodies come out in numbers to support their fundraising dinner tonight to raise funds for people living with spinal injuries and physical impairment.
President Joshko Wakaniyasi says a lot more needs to be done to improve the life expectancy of those with severe disabilities after suffering rugby related spinal injuries or other severe injuries.
Wakaniyasi says the sad reality is that some of these people die within two or three years after getting injuries as they are faced with secondary complications.
He says they are getting special wheelchairs for people living with disabilities and special equipment for children and the elderly.
Wakaniyasi says they provide about 500 special wheelchairs and 1,000 other forms of mobility devices every year to people with spinal injuries or those who are facing physical impairment.
When questioned by Fijivillage about the support provided to rugby players living with spinal injuries in Fiji, Wakaniyasi says a lot needs to be done as many of them need personal carers and face many secondary complications.
Wakaniyasi says the late Ilisoni Namoro who represented Fiji and got injured and the late Fred Miller who also suffered a rugby related injury were former executives and members of the association.
He is seriously concerned about the 2 to 3 year life expectancy for people in Fiji who have been severely disabled.
Wakaniyasi says these people should be able to live a normal life after these complications however sadly this is not the case.
NZ 7s legend Eric Rush will speak at the charity dinner at Grand Pacific Hotel at 7 tonight.
Wakaniyasi calls on corporate bodies to take up corporate tables selling at $2,500.
Tickets are on sale at the Spinal Injuries Association Office at Brown Street in Toorak.
