• Home

Hubby struggles for funds after musician suffers stroke

Abu Dhabi - 66-year-old harpist Dorota Weronika has been in the UAE since 1985 and is bedridden for last three years.

Yesteryear harpist Dorota Weronika Putowska Bascarino can no longer enjoy her strings.
A stroke suffered in May 2013 has left her paralysed and she can't play the harp anymore.
"Now, I am as good as dead," says the 66-year-old artist from Poland, who married Mumbai native Dominic Pascal Bascarino in 1987 in Dubai. Dorota was the first artist to perform at the Dubai Airport departure lounge and at the Abu Dhabi Airport for a special occasion. She has amazed visitors at hotels across the UAE and other GCC countries.
Dorota came to the UAE in 1985 on a contract with Hyatt Regency Dubai-Deira Corniche as a harpist where Dominic was working in the engineering department. He also doubled as an interpreter for Dorota. They got married at the Indian consulate in August 1987.
Later, they shifted to Abu Dhabi where Dominic joined Etihad Airways. From 2000 onwards, Dorota started teaching music at schools. However, they shifted from Abu Dhabi to Dubai in 2013 and she suffered a stroke the same year. Their Wasl building flat in Muhaisanah 4 is testimony of the tragedy. Even after three years, most of the packages shifted still remain unmoved at their flat.
"When you are struggling mentally, physically and financially, all these things take a backseat," says 58 year-old Dominic. He takes a long pause as he began to narrate the fateful night in May 2013.
"It happened in her sleep. I was always early to office and late home. She used to take care of everything. Usually she would call by the evening to give me the list of things to buy. That day the call never came. So, I phoned her and got no response. I came home and saw her sleeping. I woke her up but she said 'I am very tired. I want to sleep'. Next morning, I found that all the routines were missing. It was then I doubted something amiss. I forced her to get up but she didn't respond. I called her best friend Katrina, who was a Polish pianist. Dorota repeated the same lines to her. Katrina told me to call the emergency. I called the ambulance service and they suggested that we take her to hospital.
"While I was changing her dress, she couldn't lift her left hand. It was then the medical team conducted tests and concluded that it was a stroke. We rushed her to Rashid Hospital. The doctor said we should have reached there within four hours of symptom onset. The report said it was a clot. It was in the thalamus, close to the optic nerve. Also, her left side of the body was affected from head to toe, including her left eye. Even if she hurts herself she doesn't realise," he narrates.

Money matters
Dominic is facing hardships managing the expenses. He is yet to repay Rashid Hospital bills totaling Dh36,000. "That was also the time when I lost my Etihad position due to organisational restructuring and was job-hunting for almost a year. My cash flow started depleting." He now works for a prominent facilities management firm in Dubai.
"Sharjah St. Michael Church Ministry Group helped us with medical bed and the walker was donated by an Emirati at the hospital. Sharjah Church Ministry Group also arranged a care giver. Another group at the hospital gave us the wheel chair. We have been surviving in this manner."
The monthly expenses with medication, salary for care giver, physiotherapy and other bills leave nothing of his salary. And then, Dominic opens up on the issue of medical insurance.
"Till last year, we were getting the medical insurance. But now they say she is past 65 and have limitations helping us. Her medication costs Dh4,500 for two months. From this March, the health card has expired and I am waiting for a miracle from God to change the minds of the insurance company," he says.
Now, Dominic takes Dorota to NMC Specialty Hospital at Al Nahda. Due to lack of funds, he has twice missed a few check-ups. "I am managing with an old prescription. I am hoping the health insurance will be ready soon."
For Dominic, next month is very crucial with the renewal of flat, car registration and insurance.
"I am paying Dh43,000 for this flat and moving to a cheaper place won't be easy. We have understanding neighbours and a few helpful friends here."
His travails are worsened by the fact that he drives a car without an AC. "Mechanic told me there is problem with the gearbox and I shouldn't use AC. Even a secondhand gearbox will cost Dh5,000."
Dominic needs to chart out a plan to settle in Poland within next two years. "All my savings are spent. I need to clear all dues," he says.
"My brothers and sister are in India. But Dorota will be more comfortable in Poland. She too has a sister in Poland, who unfortunately, is suffering from cancer"
August also happens to be the month when we will mark our 29th wedding anniversary, he says and both burst in laughter dispelling a long spell of gloom.
Readers who wish to help this couple can reach Dominic at 0508184970.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com