Man living in 'old pickup truck' on Tortola makes desperate cry for help
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Mr Frazer-Santana, who shared his story with Virgin Islands News Online today, Wednesday, November 20, 2024, said he was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis at age 25 but his condition has since deteriorated, leaving him out of work and recently homeless.
John Hopkin’s Hospital describes Myasthenia Gravis as a chronic autoimmune disorder in which antibodies destroy the communication between nerves and muscle, resulting in weakness of the skeletal muscles. Myasthenia gravis affects the voluntary muscles of the body, especially those that control the eyes, mouth, throat and limbs.
His condition, he added, was inherited from his father who also has Myasthenia Gravis.
Mr Frazer Sanatana was born in the Dominican Republic and came to the Virgin Islands five years ago to work. He explained that he worked as a bartender but, like most people in his profession at that time, was let go during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Breadwinner
He is a father of four daughters, ranging from seven to eighteen years old, and a son who all live in the Dominican Republic. His son’s mother, he shared, passed away a few months ago. “It’s only me he has, he’s nine years old”.
Mr Frazer Santana said he found a job at Jost van Dyke but was let go because he was unable to perform his duties due to his illness. He returned to Tortola and found an apartment in East End but was eventually evicted eighteen days ago because he was unable to pay rent.
His first three days being homeless, he said he slept in Beef Island on a beach chair and was told by a security guard that he would not sleep there anymore so he came over to Tortola.
“I cried for my health problems, I cried for my daughters,” he said.
Mr Frazer Santana, through tears, said his children back home in the Dominican Republic are depending on him for their basic needs.
“I don’t have anybody right now,” he said. “I went to Social Development, and they just offered me a food voucher,” he added.
While speaking to our News Centre, Mr Frazer Santana said, “I’m hungry, I haven’t eaten since yesterday.” It has been eighteen days since he was evicted from his East End apartment.
Currently, he sleeps in an old pick-up truck and is without his belongings, which are on someone’s porch in East End. He said he does not feel safe in that area and is unable to rest well.
“A few times I feel like jumping in the ocean and finish with this...I can’t take it no more,” he said adding that he has not gone through with it because of his daughter, “she will never forgive me."
Willing to work
“I need to work; I need to have my medication...I need to have it all the time,” he said, however, because he is currently unemployed he is unable to afford the medication which makes everyday tasks more manageable.
“Myasthenia Gravis don’t play, it can kill you, it can put you in a wheelchair...I am not feeling well...I am not supposed to be alive; I’m supposed to be dead. I am alive because of God,” he exclaimed.
Mr Frazer Santana said he is willing to work and has applied for jobs without any response as yet.
“I want a job...the only thing I cannot do is construction because of my health. I am not strong enough to lift heavy stuff,” he added.
Mr Frazer Santana said he is related to Deputy Premier and Minister for the Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3). He said he was able to get in contact with Hon Fraser and spoke with him yesterday, November 19, 2024.
To anyone willing to assist, Mr Frazer Santana said he is currently most in need of his medication, which costs about $57.00. He has been without it for the past four months. He is also in need of a place to stay and a job.
Mr Frazer Santana can be reached via WhatsApp on 284-342-9876 and email ronnifrazar472@gmail.com. Donations can also be sent to him through his ATH Mobile.
"I hope somebody can help me...God is good," he said.
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23 Responses to “Man living in 'old pickup truck' on Tortola makes desperate cry for help”
I don’t know this man from no where, if I could help I will if not I wouldn’t comment. This place have some real wicked people in it. If you can’t and wouldn’t help shut the %&*@ up
Someone said he is a con but let me tell you I will never look down on a hustler for trying to sell - now I am not saying he is a con or hustler its an example-
Its better to be sold and hustled for a sale that the people can use to feed their family, than to be robbed by someone to feed their family.
At that I dont look down on any person selling no matter what they are selling as long as it isnt heroin or crack.
Most of the time I give them a ear to give them motivation I dont pass anyone straight if they try to make a sale.
Better than being jumped and robbed but some people get so offended to be sold on a product. It becomes so hypocritical that even the tourist who come to visit your homeland say you want them as a ATM by trying to make a sale.
If the locals dont make money by honest sales or service the place wont be safe, people will resort to robbing and you dont get to visit. duhhh.
The world is upside down people dont respect the hustle.
He may need psychological help though.
Your kids back in your homeland
Why don’t you go back DR
Now I like to help others but this right here not making sense and he’s not asking a tkt back home either sounds like he want us to mind him n send money down n pay his rent etc