By Kishawn Thomas

Just over a month ago, Denise Stevens an employee with the St. Kitts Marriott, issued an appeal for help for medical expenses and this time around she said even more help is needed.

Ms. Stevens sustained injuries to her back while on the job, on March 7th 2007.

The single mother of five told this newspaper that the medical burden has been increasing over the last few weeks as her condition remains the same and in some instance “is getting worse”.

Ms. Stevens said after numerous examinations she was referred to an Orthopedic Surgeon who after conducting an MRI indicated that the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae in her back had degenerated and were resting on a nerve [as a result of the fall]. She said the doctor instructed that she travel to Puerto Rico for surgery.

In recording the doctor’s findings, the injured worker said she contacted the then General Manager of the resort to alert him of the injury sustained.

With the help of friends, family, government and bank loans, Ms. Stevens said she managed to travel to Puerto Rico to perform the first of two surgeries.

For the first surgery on June 11th 2007, Ms. Stevens underwent lumbar laminotomy and L4/5 discectomy; however she said she continues to feel severe pain in the lower spine.

After her surgery the Taylor’s Housing resident said she has been unable to walk normal and has to bear with uncomfortable pains in her back together with other symptoms.

With much more discomfort, pain and little or no satisfaction Ms. Stevens said she went back to Marriott’s management for yet another time for compensation/assistance.

Speaking to The Leewards Times on Tuesday, November 10th Ms. Stevens indicated that the resort’s current General Manager, Flor van der Vaart issued her a letter on September 23rd which stated that “although Marriott does not admit any legal liability in relation to your medical condition, as an employer concerned about its associates’ welfare, we are willing to meet the cost of you being medically examined by Dr. Cameron Wilkinson for the purpose of a report being prepared.”

The letter went on to state that Marriott will examine Dr. Wilkinson’s report and give consideration as to what further assistance it can provide.

Ms. Stevens said she agreed to the letter and signed a consent to disclosure of confidential information letter which allowed Dr. Wilkinson to fully discuss her medical history, condition, status, diagnosis and prognosis with Marriott’s management.

It was confirmed that Marriott did pay the expenses for Ms. Stevens’ examinations for the purpose of a medical report.

Ms. Stevens said she heard nothing further from Marriott after her examination and the medical record done by Dr. Wilkinson.

She told this newspaper that her second surgery [to be done in Trinidad] is long overdue.

A medical report [dated November 6th] by Orthopedic Surgeon, David R. Santana out of Trinidad said Ms. Stevens was experiencing severe back pain following the fall at work.

“The pain was accompanied by pins and needles, and numbness radiating down the left leg”, the report added.

It further went on to state that following an examination conducted on Ms. Stevens it was revealed that she had severe sciatica. It was so severe the report noted that Ms. Stevens “dragged herself into the examining room”.

Another MRI examination reveals exuberant scar formation, with tenting of L4/5, causing traction on the cauda equine. This according to the medical report is a well recognized complication of spinal surgery, [which resulted from Ms. Stevens’ first surgery] requiring surgical decompression and she needs revision spinal surgery to deal with this problem.

The total cost of the surgery is US$9,590.00 equivalent to EC$25,893.00.

The amount quoted by the surgeon is one that Ms. Stevens said she cannot afford on her own since she already exhausted all her savings and her EC$25,000 social security benefits and is barely surviving on her disabled benefit which amounts to $753.00 per month. For a single mother of five it becomes even more challenging.

The ailing mother was hospitalized recently for a total of ten days for pain she said was too much to bear. According to her she was placed on a series of steroids since the medication she previously took was not helping.

Ms. Stevens informed this newspaper that she is currently seeking financial aid from the government but up to this time she is yet to receive a positive response.

“I need all the help I can get”, she said.

In her interview she continued to clamor for help from her place of employment [Marriott] as it was no fault of hers when the incident occurred.

She said the “kitchen floor was wet” and with the type of tiles used it was difficult to identify whether it was wet or not.

Denise said she fell on her back and was unable to walk.

“I was taken to the hospital where I received an injection but was still unable to walk,” she said.

Anyone wishing to assist Denise Stevens with her medical expenses for her second surgery can contact her 466-2392 or 664-0933.