Woman with disability pleads for help

Rita Sablan and husband Jack Cepeda stand outside their home yesterday. According to Sablan, she has been seeking help from multiple government agencies for many years but has not been assisted. Sablan wants to share her story in hopes of shedding light on her situation, and hopefully to get the help she has long been asking for. (Kimberly A. Bautista)

Rita Sablan, 42, lost both her legs years ago. Her husband, Jack Cepeda, left his job to take care of her. They live in a tin shack in Koblerville, a place so rundown it has no walls, no electricity, and no running water.

To get anywhere, Sablan uses a rickety wheelchair that Cepeda pushes around. The fact that the way to their house is unpaved only makes it doubly harder for the two.

Sablan claims she has been asking for assistance from different government agencies and organizations for over six years, but her pleas fell on deaf ears.

In meeting with Sablan yesterday, Saipan Tribune was able to take a tour of their home in Koblerville. The roof had flown off, debris left from Typhoon Soudelor in 2015 still litter the premises, and the structure is not fit for human habitation.

According to Sablan, she lost her first leg to an accident back in 2015. Shortly after, Sablan faced another tragedy, this time due to her poorly built home, which claimed her other leg.

Sablan said that even before her first accident, she had already been reaching out to the Northern Marianas Housing Corp. for nearly three years in hopes that they would help her find a suitable living place. Unfortunately, they had not received the help they needed.

“Every time I called, it was like they were annoyed with me,” she said.

After being released from the hospital, Sablan said she tried to get back in touch with NMHC, but to her dismay, her slot had been given to someone else when she didn’t get back to them. According to Sablan, NMHC told her that a letter had been mailed to her mailbox in June 2015.

“I was in the hospital for a long while that time. I was not able to renew my box…they asked for evidence so I gave it. Until now, they have not gotten back to me,” she said.

Sablan said she feels hurt and helpless because she knows of people who have been provided homes who are in better condition than she is.

“I just want to let them know, how come they can help people with two feet? I’m disabled and I have been asking for help. What about me?” she asked.

Sablan said she has also reached out to Karidat Social Services, to the Northern Marianas Protection and Advocacy Systems, Inc., and the American Red Cross-NMI Chapter, but no one had stepped in to give her the help she has long been asking for.

Yesterday, after meeting with an emotional Sablan, Saipan Tribune was able to speak with Sablan’s uncle, Ben Basa, who was not aware of his niece’s situation until yesterday.

“I read in the papers about how good the economy is right now. How come they can’t help her?” asked Basa.

Sablan said her family has been helpful but she doesn’t want to be a burden to them.

As of today, Sablan and her husband were taken in by Basa but are still awaiting help from the government.