Sameer Amin, 22, of Yakusari, Black Bush Polder, lost his sight after he was struck by lightning on Monday.
His mother, Ameena Amin told Stabroek News that her son was close to the “mesh” fence when the lightning struck “and went straight to his eyes,” around 5:30 pm. She said he shouted twice, lost consciousness and fell to the ground. The man’s younger brother, Ameer, who witnessed the incident, rushed to his assistance and lifted him into the house. All the time, Sameer’s body was “trembling and vibrating from the shock.” His eyes were also swollen. Ameer then called out to relatives, who hired a taxi and rushed the injured man to the Port Mourant Hospital.
Ameena said her son regained consciousness when he reached the hospital about one hour later but he could not immediately recall what had happened. He was also unable to open his eyes. According to the woman, the following morning, although the eyes were still swollen, he managed to open them and then realized that he could not see.
Although his mother worried after being faced with the news that her son might remain blind, she told this newspaper, “God gives tests to the believers and although it pains a lot, you got to have faith. I know God can work miracles.” The man’s father Munir Amin, meanwhile, said, “I am pleased that the doctors are trying their best with him. I am ninety-nine percent hopeful that he would get back his sight.” He said too that the “bottom-line is that the doctors are not God and they cannot do God’s work. It does not matter who we take him to it is who God give the cure through.” The man added that they were also praying for the young man to regain his sight and he called on the local Muslim community to offer dua (prayers) for his son.
The young man was transferred to a city hospital yesterday to undergo additional tests.
Monday’s thunderstorm also blew off roofs from some houses, damaged trees, resulting and cut down electricity poles and wires, plunging the area into darkness. The roof of two classrooms of the Yakusari Primary School was also blown off, necessitating special arrangements for students yesterday.
