Clarendon mom struggling

Latoya Brown of Buzz Rock in Effortville, Clarendon, says she is living in distress.

The 32-year-old mother of one has lost vision in her right eye and barely sees from the other. Doctors have also advised her of continuous bleeding behind the right eye.

An asthmatic, Brown also suffers from sickle cell, a heart condition, high blood pressure, and has suffered six strokes. Her walking has also been impeded by injuries from a broken leg.

"The other day the doctor said my liver is getting bigger and I have surgery to do on my eye," said Brown, who had open-heart surgery in 2005.

Brown is worried about the coronavirus pandemic. Medical experts have labelled persons with pre-existing health conditions as more susceptible to the respiratory illness, which has infected more than 18 million people worldwide and accounted for almost 700,000 deaths.

"Mi scared bad cause when mi go all May Pen, mi a wonder how mi a go manage especially with my son weh touch everything and mi nuh waa get no infection," she said, adding that precautionary measures are costly. "Mi go doctor often so mi affi pay nuff money cause mi affi charter taxi," she told the THE STAR.

Denied employment

The single mother who has certifications in housekeeping through HEART NSTA/Trust, believes some businesses have denied her employment because of her illnesses.

With tears streaming down her face, the unemployed mother related the daily difficulty to provide for her seven-year-old son, noting that food is sometimes a scarce commodity.

"Wi don't have much. Wi nuh have food every day but wi eat, satisfy and go to bed," she said. Brown, who struggles to pay rent for her two-bedroom home, said her struggles are sometimes eased by her elderly mother who works as a vendor in May Pen. Asserting her son as her "eye and helper", Brown said she is happy she had taught him to do small chores, stating that she has become dependent on his assistance. "He helps me out a lot and when I take him to May Pen, he will hold my hand and carry me around," she said.

Brown said her son, Alrick, has the potential to be a better student if he gets some assistance. Brown said though she needs help with her mounting medical expenses, she is appealing to the public to assist her son with school supplies as the new school year approaches. "I would love some help with him. Him nuh dunce but him can do better if him get the help to go school and get textbooks."

Persons willing to assist Latoya Brown, may contact her at 876-529-1598.