Mereia Siganisucu, a dedicated mother from Mua Village on Batiki Island, overcame significant challenges following a stroke she suffered in 2011 while eight months pregnant. At just 24 years old, she faced a dire situation when her parents had to make a heartbreaking choice between her life and that of her unborn child. After an arduous 11-hour surgery, Mereia woke from a two-day coma, but the road to recovery was long and arduous, leaving her bedridden for two years.
Reflecting on her experience, Mereia shared her anger and frustration which contributed to her stroke. She described the emotional pain of being unable to care for her infant son, Tevita Lomaiviti, during those challenging years. “I would cry seeing my baby beside me, needing breast milk while I was unable to move,” she recalled. Her supportive parents stood by her through these tough times, navigating their own struggles as they looked after her and her son.
Motivated by her son, Mereia embraced a strict vegetarian diet and committed to a regimen of exercise, resulting in a remarkable recovery. A turning point in her rehabilitation came when her mother challenged her to see who could walk first—her or Tevita. This ignited a fierce determination in her, leading her to walk before her son did. “Through the grace of God, I was able to walk again and start a new life,” she said.
Now 37 years old, Mereia has turned her life around. Her son is thriving in Year Nine at Ratu Kadavulevu School, and she has found employment at ANZ Bank in Suva while pursuing a postgraduate qualification in Professional Accounting at the University of the South Pacific. Mereia’s journey highlights not only her personal resilience but also the transformative power of support and determination.
She is now actively involved with CounterStroke Fiji, advocating for stroke awareness and sharing her story to inspire other women facing health challenges. Mereia encourages those suffering from non-communicable diseases like strokes to seek help and maintain hope, emphasizing the importance of support from family and faith. “Seek professional help if your family is not supportive, and trust in God,” she advised.
Her journey underlines the importance of community support and self-belief, reflecting a testament to the human spirit’s capacity for recovery, hope, and renewed purpose.
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