By Agencies

Stepping into Chris and Joan Weir’s living room, you soon see how normal life has been pushed to one side – their belongings piled into a corner to make way for a hospital bed.

This is where Joan has remained since having her right leg amputated due to gangrene and then suffering a stroke last year.

She receives six visits from carers at home in St Benets Way, Tenterden, daily, with her husband filling in overnight and throughout the day.

But 81-year-old Chris has suffered his own health issues, including a stroke last year, and is very hard of hearing, leaving him struggling to care for his wife of 25 years.

Desperate for help, a visa application was lodged to bring Joan’s eldest daughter, Tsitsi Chitewe, over from Zimbabwe to care for her mother in what could be her final days.

But last month, the Home Office refused the application, stating there was insufficient evidence Tsitsi would return to her home country or that she had sufficient funds for the trip.

Chris was heartbroken. Joan is “totally helpless” without him and, despite his best efforts, looking after her round the clock has become increasingly difficult.

“We had NHS carers at first, but they couldn’t do it forever, so now we have six a day, plus doctors and physiotherapists coming to see Joan, but they can’t be here all the time,” he said.

“So we need someone to take over, and Tsitsi was the obvious choice to come and assist because I have significant health problems as well.

“I’m trying to look after Joan myself, but it’s virtually impossible.”

Chris only sleeps two or three hours a night as he’s “up and down the stairs” helping his wife.

“It’s left me sort of half-conscious all the time, and I’m still suffering from the stroke,” he said.

“It’s catastrophic what they’ve done because I can’t go on like this. I’m going to flake out at some stage, doing all these things.”

He branded the Home Office’s suggestion Tsitsi would not return home “crazy”.

“Her whole life is there,” Chris said. “I’m not going to let this happen. I’ll fight and fight until I win.”

The situation has left him fearing what could happen to Joan if his own health takes a turn for the worse.

“When I have to go to Tesco’s for food and supplies, Joan is alone. If I am at the doctor’s surgery for prescriptions or blood tests for myself, Joan is alone,” Chris said.

“I have cancelled hospital appointments for myself as I cannot under any circumstances leave Joan alone.

“When I try to sleep, due to my deafness, sometimes I cannot hear Joan calling me if she feels unwell.

“Due to all her conditions, she could die at any time and does not want to be alone without me.

“The same could happen to me. What if I don’t appear in the early morning? She is totally helpless to do anything.”

The 77-year-old returned home in November last year after a stint in palliative care at Kent and Canterbury Hospital.

Although deemed well enough to go home following the operation to amputate her right leg above the knee, it remained unknown how much longer she would have left.

She has felt increasingly trapped, being bed-bound in the downstairs living room and fearful for Chris’s own health.

Joan told KentOnline: “My firstborn, who I’m closest with, would be best to come and help me with my disabilities. I just wish I had someone to help and talk to.

“I don’t know how to get help. There are a lot of health issues, and the more I think about it, it’s killing me. I’m so upset.

“All I have are these four walls. It’s like I’m trapped in a cave with no way out. I’m just here in this bed, watching them. It could happen at any time.

“With Chris’s own health, I wish I could help him. If I could just jump out of this bed.

“I don’t know what will happen. I can’t be left alone and can’t do anything. There’s no one better than my own daughter to look after me.”

In a letter seen by KentOnline, the visa was refused because the Home Office lacked evidence Tsitsi would return home and could not fund her stay of five months and 30 days.

The 49-year-old was devastated by the decision, as a sponsor had been secured for her stay. She insists she would return to Zimbabwe to be with her family, including two daughters, Valiere and Natasha, who she describes as her world.

The move was also supported by a letter from Ivy Court Surgery in Tenterden, which stated: “Joan’s husband also has significant medical issues and is now in his eighties.

“It would be helpful for Joan’s care needs and to support the family if her eldest daughter were allowed a long-term visa to travel from her home in Zimbabwe to support her.”

The refusal, with no chance to appeal, has left Tsitsi, who works as a community volunteer with vulnerable children and the elderly, fearing she may never be able to see her mum again.

Joan used to visit Zimbabwe once a year to see her daughter, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Tsitsi said: “My mum is a very loving, caring, God-fearing woman who loves her family. I miss her so much. We used to have so many great moments together,

“I’ve been so stressed and feeling helpless after all the effort, struggle and sleepless nights thinking of my mum’s health and wellbeing.

“I never imagined they could refuse the visa for only six months to be with my mum. I am devastated. I just wish I could see her.

“I submitted all the required information, but they didn’t consider that I would return home. I love my children and grandchildren. I have no intention of staying in the UK forever.”

According to the Home Office, around 11,000 visa visits were issued in 2025 for Zimbabwean nationals, with each application assessed on a case-by-case basis.

When there are close family connections, officials take them into account in the decision-making process when assessing any visa application.

A spokesperson told KentOnline: “It is longstanding government policy we do not routinely comment on individual cases.”

Chris says he plans to write to their MP, Conservative Katie Lam, for help.