Double amputee needs a place to call home

When Leonard Small was younger, he had dreams of becoming a successful businessman and having a family. However, those dreams were dashed, as by the age of 12 he found himself homeless after his father disappeared on him and his older brother while they were living at Job Lane in Spanish Town, St Catherine. His mother, he said, died when he was a baby.

With nowhere to live, Small said he ventured to the streets for survival.

"Mi father did poor bad and the place weh him live wasn't his, so after mi father get frustrated and leave, mi end up on the streets a hustle for my own," Small said. "Mi use to play crown and anchor game to survive and sell popcorn and other snacks on bus. When mi get bigger, mi build up a little shop on Cumberland Road, but it burn down."

Now 54, Small has lost both legs to diabetes and is currently living in a shed he erected just metres away from the Spanish Town Hospital. His only dream now is to have a proper roof over his head as very soon his current dwelling may be demolished as a part of a clean-up exercise by the Government.

TEMPORARY HOME

After losing one of his legs in 2012, Small said the hospital became his home for years as he would sleep on the compound, undisturbed.

"Mi use to sleep close to where the Accident and Emergency section was, but when mi next foot get sick and start decay and smell up di place, di patients dem start complain about it so the security guard never have any choice but to ask mi to leave, so mi build up a little hut outside the hospital about a year now," Small said.

"Mi know mi affi guh move again soon because is the Government own where I am living and mi appreciate that them nuh tell mi to leave already," he said.

Marcia Williams, who met Small a few years ago, has set about identifying a parcel of land on which she hopes to have a house erected for him.

"If I could get somewhere to lease for him, that would be a plus because I would be responsible for the lease agreement. Even if I have to walk and beg, I will do it because his condition pains my heart. I cry about it at nights. I just want a piece of land for him so I can try and get a Food For The Poor house for him," she said.

Small is anxious to get some help. He said that the last thing he wants is to end up in an infirmary.

"I am not a lazy person so I don't want to go in any home. I repair watches and other jewellery and the money I get from that I used it buy shirts, pants and any other little things to sell. The hospital people will support me and passers-by, but I just want somewhere to live. Life hasn't been easy for mi, but mi nah give up," he said.

Persons wishing to assist Leonard Small may contact Marcia Williams via telephone at 876 479 1113.