Man forgives spouse who blinded him

John Brown*, who was blinded by his partner in December 2016, says he has forgiven her and wants her to face up to her responsibilities.

"After mi drop the case, she take care of me for about a week good good. But after that she would just come in and cook likkle food for mi and sometimes mi deh here a cry and sometimes mi ask her for a likkle hug and she say she can't bother with the bag a hug up ting. Mi tell har say mi hurt and confuse and mi need a woman to show little compassion but she say she can't bother wid dem things there," he said.

The 42-year-old man said that he met her about eight years ago and over time, realised that she was very jealous.

"I used to drive around tourist at first and she would call me right around the clock and I would explain to her that I can't talk until I get a break. Afterwards, I sold my old car and buy something better and I started to run taxi and that start give me a lot more work because people like the criss car. Suh mi would come in a bit later and she cuss mi say a woman mi have," he told THE WEEKEND STAR. "Where she work, she could see when I travel back and forth suh more time all when she see a woman a di front a di taxi she call and ask a who dat and start cuss."

He said a few days before the incident, they had got into an argument after she found a hotel receipt in his wallet. He tried explaining that a relative had asked him to book the room. He even offered to provide a number for the relative but she would not have it. Brown said that on the fateful night, he was awakened by a burning sensation on his face and body. He said at first he thought he was in a hellish nightmare but reality kicked in. In pain and unable to see from his right eye, Brown stumbled to his neighbour who transported him to the Port Maria Hospital.

"I was then transferred to KPH (Kingston Public Hospital) and I spent at least six months in and out of hospital. I got third degree burns. She was charged for attempted murder and other things and get lock up but mi drop the case. I did it because I grow up in church and know about forgiveness so I have no hatred towards her," he said.

He stressed that he not looking to continue a romantic relationship with her as she had made it clear that she was not interested. However, he wants her to accept responsibility for what she did and to assist him.

"She see how di place mashing down suh if even to help mi with some block. Nuff time she cuss mi and tell mi say mi ugly and crawny but the love that I have for her is not the normal love, it is the love of God. Even if it was a man that chop off my hand, I would forgive him," he said.

Brown stated that his biggest wish is to undergo eye surgery, as doctors said his eyeballs are in good condition but he cannot afford the surgery to open his eyes.

"This way I will be able to help myself and feel like a man again. Right now mi house a rotten down on mi and when rain fall water come in on mi. Mi nuh have nuh fridge, bed or anything. Mi and di woman don't live anymore and she said she looking somewhere to rent and she coming for the bed. She say she nah left nutten with mi because mi gyal dem ago help mi out," Brown added. A GoFundMe account for Brown has raised US$3,335 of the US$10,000 (approximately J$1.5 million) goal.

*Name changed