A mother’s struggle - Single mom wants help for son with cerebral palsy

Like so many other Jamaican women, Charmaine Donaldson was a victim of teenage pregnancy. When she was 15 years old, Donaldson was forced to drop out of high school because she became pregnant with her son, Robert Grant.

"I felt that I let my family down by not graduating, and becoming pregnant. It affected me badly, as my friends were able to get jobs and I was with a child; it did wicked," Donaldson said.

To compound her woes, Donaldson's child was born with cerebral palsy, which is a disorder that affect a person's ability to move and maintain balance.

She admitted that the child's condition was discovered shortly after he was born. The distraught mother said that she was just hoping for the best before birth.

''I feel real bad; can't even talk about emotion, just that you feel bad and that I would struggle," she said.

Donaldson said that while not being an outgoing person, she felt pressured knowing that she couldn't do the things others her age were doing.

"It rough, as even if I left him at home, I have to be back within an hour. It is sadness all around," Donaldson said. She said her son's father is deceased.

"Him never too active in the bwoy life," her mother, 81-year-old Mehalia Donaldson, interjected.

On a recent visit to Donaldson's house in Deeside, Linstead, St Catherine, she was seen lifting her son from his bed to a worn-out wheelchair.

"I have to do this every day for him," Donaldson, 45, told THE WEEKEND STAR. "He is my only child and I see it as a duty, but it nuh easy."

"I have to be taking care of Robert every day, as he is unable to care for himself due to the sickness," Donaldson said.

The former domestic helper said Robert's paternal grandmother was a tower of strength.

"Since she died six years ago, things get harder. I have to feed him, bathe him, take him to the bathroom ... , " Donaldson said.

The St Catherine mother said that she normally raises broiler chickens to eke out a living, but that venture has collapsed.

Pointing to an empty chicken coop in her yard, she said: "See it here, there are no chickens. Normally I would raise about 50, but a can't afford any. I also find that more persons have been doing it due to COVID-19, so some of my customers are now suppliers," a teary-eyed Donaldson said.

Donaldson is hoping someone will provide her with a motorised wheelchair for her son, as well as help with diapers and medicine.

"One of his medicine cost $1,800 per month. It is hard as my 81-year-old mother also lives here. She can't do much but she will call if Robert needs help," Donaldson said.

Robert, 30, has a simple wish of his own.

"May I say something?" he asked, his voice barely audible. "May I have a mattress? As di one weh mi have, it have hole," Robert said.

Charmaine Donaldson may be contacted via telephone (876) 447-6746.