Food keeps us alive—but for Ricky Naputi, it became the addiction that ended his life. At his heaviest, the Guam native weighed more than 64 stone, leaving him bed-bound and struggling to breathe.
“I’m stuck in this bed every single day,” Ricky once admitted. His wife Cheryl cared for him completely, describing it as “like taking care of an overgrown baby.” Despite her efforts, his health worsened.
Doctors said surgery was his only hope, but he needed to lose weight first. Ricky compared his struggle to “a bad drug addict’s battle.” Sadly, he never qualified for treatment. He dreamed of starting a family but could not escape his condition.
In 2012, Ricky passed away at just 39. His final days were filled with despair, yet also a desperate wish to feel the sun and water on his skin once more. His story is a heartbreaking reminder of how powerful addiction can be—and how love sometimes isn’t enough to save someone.
How do you think Ricky’s story should be remembered?