AT 65 YEARS old, Elsie Bisnar is far from being retired. Every day, she still works as an ambulant vendor, selling sotanghon which she buys in Divisoria.
She hawks her wares from San Andres Bukid in Manila, up to the streets of Makati City.
Elsie, however, is suffering from psoriasis vulgaris, a chronic auto-immune condition characterized by inflamed, reddish patches of skin which can be very itchy, and may even crack or bleed if left untreated. It can affect anyone but it is not contagious.
“I just wear long sleeves to hide my ailment. My customers wouldn’t take notice anyway because I am also shielding myself from the heat of the sun,” said the mother of two sons: Yves, a scholar at Universidad de Manila and Joel, who is married.
Elsie said her husband left them about six years ago after he received his pension from his retirement as a security guard.
BISNAR
Her attending physician, Dr. Paula Detabali of the Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center, told Elsie that while her ailment was mild, it would require lifelong medication.
“I got scared when she told me not to ignore it because it might lead to complications like heart and kidney disease. As of now, I can’t sleep at night when it is itchy,” she said.
Dr. Detabali prescribed Dermovate, Nutraderm, Cortizan, Iterax and Halobetasol Propionate for Elsie. Her medicines require her to spend P2,860 a week.
Those who want to help Elsie may call her at 0977-1960195. Donations may be deposited in her grandson Arvin Bisnar’s Landbank account (# 0597156642).