Paralyzed OFW back home after six months in Saudi hospital

An OFW who worked as a household helper in Saudi Arabia who figured in a road accident last year that paralyzed her has been sent back home to the Philippines.

Elvisa Salgado, from Bohol, left last Thursday on a Saudia flight after six months of medication in a hospital.

She and her employers were involved in a car crash in July 2018. She has since been paralyzed.

In an interview an hour before her flight back to the Philippines, Salgado (on a stretcher) told GMA News her sad story from the accident.

She also narrated how the accident took place while she and her employers were on their way  to Ridadh from Albaha.

The impact of the car crash killed her employers (a couple). She suffered severe injury from neck to her legs, which paralyzed her.

While in a hospital, Salgado was aided by welfare officer Yolanda Peñaranda from the Overseas Workers Welfare Adaninistration (OWWA); a Filipino community group led by Jhun Valdepeña, MEON founder; and her recruitment agency.

“Masaya po ako at nagpapasalamat sa ating Panginoon dahil sa pagbibigay ng pagkakataon na makasama ko pa ang aking pamilya,” Salgado told GMA News.

Peñaranda said that Salgado is entitled to benefits once in the Philippines.

“May insurance benefits po naman si Elvisa dahil cover pa naman siya ng OWWA Insurance benefits,” Peñaranda said.

Meanwhile Venecio Legaspi, director general of OFW Council of Leaders thanked  Salgado's Saudi Recruitment Agency for helping her until she was flown back to the Philippines.

Legaspi also thanked the OWWA, the Filipino community for helping Salgado.

“Masaya ako sa mga nakita kong pagtutulungan nang magkakabilang panig tulad ng sa ating OWWA, sa mga Filipino community at lalo na sa recruitment agency ni Salgado kaya makakauwi na sya ng Pilipinas. Dalangin namin na sana'y makalakad kang muli at makapamuhay ng normal Elvie,” he said. —LBG, GMA News