Blind resident wants to see facelift for Riverton Meadows

Since losing his sight a few decades ago, Nathan Reid has seemingly got a sixth sense, according to his neighbours.

As he sat in his yard in Riverton Meadows, the elderly man was able to point out a ripe mango at the top of his tree, acknowledge whenever someone quietly enters his yard, and identify the voices of passers-by.

"I just know it. I remember one night a group of people was walking in the pathway and I called out to them to mind them step in the water, and they were shocked as to how I know where the water was, but it just happen. I know my way around. It is just a blessing," he said.

The 87-year-old is one of Riverton's most beloved residents and has resided in the community since 1971. He stated that he lost his sight about a year after being involved in a car accident along Duke Street in downtown Kingston. But he stated that his disability did not place a damper on his life as he even got married and raised a stepdaughter. Currently he spends his days relaxing in his yard with his radio tuned into RJR 94 FM.

"I was hospitalised for over a year as my foot did break in two, but after mi get better mi get a work because mi never did ago make because mi can't see mi lose mi independence. I worked for a while before I stopped and stay at home but I am okay here. I have a young lady that I grow and she help me out and my family overseas will send something for me so I am not complaining. A lady down the road wash and cook for me, so most days I just relax and listen the radio. I don't get sick often enuh. Other than my eye, I am very healthy," Reid said.

Once plagued by violence, Reid said Riverton Meadows is now a safe place to be, but the stigma remains.

"Mr [Keith] Trinity Gardener (former lawman) took over and say when he is through with the place, it would be bare old people. It look like him little talk work because after a while, the place quiet right down. Who fi run away do it and who fi stay, do so. It is a good place to be now because people are working and just trying to uplift themselves," he said.

Residents often work within the recycling industry, collecting items from the landfill. The area faces challenges with infrastructure but Reid said that while there is major room for improvement, residents are not beggars, just industrious and hard-working beings.

"Riverton is rich in resources because a lot of metal come around these parts and metal means money. The violence down and yuh hardly hear shot fire around here anymore. I leave from Portland come here and never have any problems with anyone. I live alone from about 1985 and my family try to get me to live elsewhere but I don't want to go anywhere new because this is the people that I know for about 50 years," Reid added.

A huge portion of the Kingston 11 community consists of dirt and broken roads. Clogged drainage systems and massive piles of garbage are obvious, but Reid said all it takes is a facelift for Riverton Meadows to earn its respect.

"A lot of bush needs to clear up and the gully needs to clean. We vote, but I am not sure if it makes a lot of sense because a lot needs to be done. One of the progress that make though is that nobody don't have tiefing light. People will have to pay their light bill now, and next ting is the water we going to get. No free light nuh deh a Riverton again, but it is a pay as yuh go system. But dat in itself is a move forward. Mi wish is to see Riverton being treated and seen like other inner cities in Jamaica. We are not the worst," he said.