PLAGUED WITH rheumatoid arthritis for 18 years, having to cope with the challenges of a son with hearing and speech impairments, plus suffering the ravages of Hurricane Ivan which demolished her house, it is no wonder Judith Bailey, 48, of Morant Bay, St. Thomas was in despair.
What she did not know was that behind every dark cloud there is Food For the Poor.
"I was going through my worst time ever," recalled Ms. Bailey, a single mother who is today still unable to work due to her debilitating illness. She has been plagued with rheumatoid arthritis over the last 18 years and, as a result, has had both her hip joints replaced. According to her, "it has affected all the joints in my body. I really don't get a break from this it is really a miserable disease."
Ms. Bailey is also unable to hold down a permanent job because, she says, most people do not have tolerance for people as ill as her.
Self-employment through buying and selling colognes and fragrances is her only way out.
SPEECH-IMPAIRED
Her 32-year-old hearing and speech-impaired son is also another concern that does not make her situation any easier. She was somewhat relieved when Food For the Poor, making good on a promise, presented to her a cheque for $28,400 to help with her son's conditions.
Ms. Bailey's situation came to light sometime in 2004 when, on a local television programme, members of the audience were invited to send in submissions about their wishes for Christmas. Subsequently, Ms. Bailey's submission was selected among the winners.
"My house was severely damaged by Hurricane Ivan and I didn't know where to turn for help. I wrote all about it, plus the other attendant problems I was experiencing," said Ms. Bailey. "I believe the letter I wrote to Our Voices was eventually forwarded to the executive director, Mr. Bradley Finzi-Smith, at Food For the Poor because they (Our Voices) eventually wrote back to say that Food For the Poor was going to assist us with a house."
We want
your news!
VOLUNTEER TODAY is pleased to be receiving more and more news from some of the thousands of individuals and organisations who volunteer in the service of others.
However, we know there are still many more stories out there. Please continue writing, phoning, faxing, emailing and even visiting our 7 North Street head office to inform us of the busy voluntary sector.
We welcome stories from across Jamaica and those that address any pressing social issue.
It can be yourself, an acquaintance, an organisation you work for or have heard of; or perhaps an organisation or someone that helped you. We have featured everyone, from community groups right up to the Red Cross so no person or organisation should be too big, too small, or too different to feature.
Please note: When submitting pictures, please submit them at a resolution no less than 200 dots per inch (dpi) and 12x17cm in size.
If you have news to volunteer, then please contact
Ross Sheil at Volunteer Today. Telephone: 932-6243; fax: 922-6223 or email: ross.sheil@gleanerjm.com.
