Glenroy Sinclair, Staff Reporter
FORMER MAYOR of Spanish Town, Dr. Raymoth Notice, has put
his ambitions of being a Member of Parliament on hold, to establish a foundation
that will assist persons with brain tumour.
Dr. Notice who resigned as Spanish Town's Mayor in June last year, was also the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP caretaker for East Central St. Catherine. However, he has expressed a desire to continue to represent the party as the councillor for the Bogwalk division of St. Catherine.
The former mayor vacated the post to spend more time with his wife, who he said, was recently diagnosed with brain tumour
"I intend to approach the Medical Association of Jamaica (MAJ) and with the help of their neurologists and neuro surgeons, I am hoping to establish a brain tumour foundation, with the view of helping persons who are diagnosed with this illness," Dr. Notice said in a sombre mood.
The help of a psychiatrist will also be very important, because according to Dr. Notice, a lot of times patients are diagnosed as having psychiatric illness when in fact it is brain tumour.
A general practitioner for the past 17 years, Dr. Notice further explains the illness has led to many crises in families.
He stressed that the main problem with some persons is called a frontal lube syndrome, where one experiences behavioural and personality disorders. He said this can be treated successfully with surgery.
PAINFUL SITUATION
"A lot of people diagnosed with the illness go through a denial process and some of them even refusing to do surgery. It can be a very painful situation for friends and relatives. This is where family support is very important," commented the former Mayor of Spanish Town.
Among the symptoms of brain tumour are depression, behavioural changes, blackouts, fainting spells and changes in visual functions. If he gets his wish, Dr. Notice said the brain tumour foundation will be effective and will educate people in a similar way as organisations such as Jamaica Cancer Society and the Diabetic Association.
