Little girl the system won't help

Perth Alenepi-Siolo wants to give little Peta a better chance at living a full life. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Elizabeth Alenepi-Siolo cries when her photo is taken.

"She's shy," her mother says. "She doesn't want to show her legs."

The 3-year-old, whose family live in Mangere in South Auckland, has stumps for legs.

She has only two fingers on her right hand and half a thumb on the left.

Less than a year ago, Elizabeth - who is affectionately called Peta - contracted meningococcal disease and as a result had to have her legs and fingers amputated.

She has had several operations, is now waiting for another, to separate her fingers.

She and her family have suffered physically, emotionally and financially.

But now they have a different battle on their hands.

Elizabeth, who was born in Auckland, is not eligible for state-funded healthcare because her parents are not New Zealand citizens and do not hold residency.

A law change in early 2006 means she is deemed to have the same immigration status as the most favourable status of either of her parents at the time she was born.

Her father is in the country on a work permit and is trying to get permanent residency.

Mother Perth Alenepi-Siolo, a Samoan citizen, has also applied to become a resident, but is waiting for her papers.

Elizabeth's medical bills - including therapy, operations and treatments - have reached more than $200,000.

"I'd have to win Lotto to pay that," Ms Alenepi-Siolo says, choking back tears.

"Baycorp just keep ringing and ringing, asking for the money. I've got all the bills stacked up. I just look at it and cry."

A spokeswoman for the Counties Manukau District Health Board said that speaking generally, a hospital would provide acute treatment for a patient - no matter what their status.

But if a patient was not eligible for free treatment, he or she was expected to pay for that later.

Elizabeth has carpet burns on her stumps as her family cannot afford to buy prosthetic pants - skin-like material pads - to cover them.

Her mother has to carry her when they travel as she is also not entitled to a free wheelchair.

Ms Alenepi-Siolo can hardly talk about her daughter's plight without crying.

"It's funny, nobody will help her here because I'm a Samoan citizen ... [but] they can't help her in Samoa.

"She can't even get a wheelchair because they tell me: 'That's for residence-people'.

"I know they can't do anything [about the law], but it's just not fair. Peta didn't ask to get this sickness, they should do everything they can to help her."

Ms Alenepi-Siolo says she is trying to get residency in order to give her daughter a better chance at living a full life.

She has contacted medical staff in Samoa, but has been told the country does not make prosthetic legs and that she would be better off staying in New Zealand.

But she says help has come through Pam Cleverley - the mother of 7-year-old Charlotte Cleverley-Bisman, who became a household name when meningococcal disease ravaged her body as a toddler.

Ms Cleverley has made oils and ointments for Elizabeth and has organised to have prosthetic pants made for her.

"I'm just doing this small thing to help her," Ms Cleverley said.

"But [the authorities] need to step up because there's a little 3-year-old girl who's already been amputated and who's already suffering."

Ms Alenepi-Siolo says she is "just hoping" that she will be granted residency soon so she can find a good job and look after her little girl.

"This is her country. [The authorities] shouldn't punish her because of me."

Anyone wishing to help Peta can do so by donating to:
Elizabeth Alenepi-Siolo
BNZ account number (02) 0191 03191 9583