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NDP used people to win elections & forgot them- Georgia Callwood

- Still no help for JVD paralysed ESHS student
Brae’den E. Edwards remains a shut in on Jost Van Dyke. Photo: Provided/File
The poor condition of the road in front of the residence of Brae’den E. Edwards on Jost Van Dyke. Photo: Provided/File
The poor condition of the road in front of the residence of Brae’den E. Edwards on Jost Van Dyke. Photo: Provided/File
GREAT HARBOUR, Jost Van Dyke, VI- Two months ago, on September 1, Georgia Callwood of Jost Van Dyke, in an emotional exclusive interview, explained to Virgin Islands News Online that she was left on her own with her son, a former A student at the Elmore Stoutt High School, who is paralysed from his chest down.

As of today, November 7, 2016, while she admits that there have been some talks between her Case Worker and the relevant authorities, the situation has not changed.

According to Callwood, her son- Brae’den E. Edwards in January of this year was diagnosed with a cyst in the spine of his neck and had to undergo surgery twice in Miami, Florida, and two months of rehabilitation at Peebles Hospital.

The mother’s attempts to continue her son’s education from home, to get a bad piece of road directly in front of their home fixed to allow easier access for the wheelchair that affords mobility to Edwards and help in getting to the dock to catch the ferry so that he can attend therapy, are still futile.

“No, they have not,” she said when asked whether any of the situation had changed.

Road causes her son to remain home, no therapy

Ms Callwood revealed that passers-by often remark that the road is getting worse and her son is fearful of falling again.

“My son even stopped leaving the house, seems he may have a fear of falling again,” she said, referring to a bad fall that he sustained when he was coming from a therapy session because of the deplorable road.

Are promises a comfort to a fool?

When asked whether she has tried contacting officials to plead her case she responded that she did not try to reach anyone anymore.

She said recently high ranking officials from “tourism and government,” including Ministers, have been on the island keeping meetings and “is more interested in parting off the beach from the boaters pitching anchor, which they will benefit from in revenue.” She continued, “But my son and I are not the only ones that utilise the road, the tourists do, there isn’t even a sign out that says “CAUTION HANDICAP” and they like to speed.”

Ms Callwood pointed out that government used the people to get into power and forget them when they do.

“I don’t need to call them over and over to do the right thing. When they asked me for my vote, they promised me that, they have been placed in seats to make things happen.”

As for her son’s education, Ms Callwood said she was told that a meeting took place between his Case Manager and officials from the Education Ministry; however, she is not sure what came out of it.

Callwood is also a breast cancer survivor and a widow. She revealed that she is supposed to be attending her cancer appointments and is currently behind schedule since she is not able to get it done. Presently she is the full-time caretaker of her son.

See link to related story: 

http://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/en/news/jvd-woman-pleas-for-help-for-her-paralysed-son

22 Responses to “NDP used people to win elections & forgot them- Georgia Callwood”

  • das (07/11/2016, 09:40) Like (21) Dislike (0) Reply
    Unfortunately, the BVI is not way 'disability-friendly' and this should really change
  • take that (07/11/2016, 09:44) Like (11) Dislike (8) Reply
    Good for ayo mitch dem drop lots of $$$$ before election now you all get zero
  • rewrsdffds (07/11/2016, 09:52) Like (15) Dislike (9) Reply
    I'm so sorry to hear this but why does she have to wait on Government? None of the businesses over there can assist with paving a piece of road for this lady and some assistance for her son?
    • Spare (07/11/2016, 11:30) Like (13) Dislike (5) Reply
      @ Ok - you ppl always seem to think that the same businesses that are already burdened by the system here have the skills and resources to do that which seems like the basic needs the Government should be providing! If that is the case lets shutter PWD/MCW and let the private sector do the works of both! The road is not only traversed by this lady and her family but ALL whom spend time on the island, tourists, residents, visitors and government officials.
      Next you will be saying that she should go pave the road her self since it is outside her home! GTFOH!!
    • vi (09/11/2016, 09:40) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      When you don't about a situation, you should not comment. Please identify for everyone reading any part of the Virgin Islands where the business community have come together and fixed any public roads.
      The "Public Road" directly in front of Georgia is in a deplorable condition and is getting worse.
  • What yo expect (07/11/2016, 09:54) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    NDP can't use you if you don't let them, take responsibility and don't let anyone use you again.
  • Really (07/11/2016, 10:01) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Where is i GREGORY WHEN YOU NEED HIM
    • Funny (07/11/2016, 19:53) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Yeah for GREGORY messon yo famous daddy They should be shame to have to call up yo name. Look like you been getting things accomplished over dey more than dem.

      Tha alone should be a message sent to them big daddy. You shoulda ran for 2nd district. Block party run things dem no daddy
  • you reap what you sow (07/11/2016, 10:04) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    so she sold her vote for 8 pieces of silver?
  • Thomas Jefferson (07/11/2016, 10:20) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    ‘The Government You Elect Is The Government You Deserve.’

    Sorry to say this but it is the truth! As you may or may not have seen Ms Callwood; but the MCW is at an all-time low in terms of HR and competent persons. The recent roadworks at Sea Cow's Bay is proof of their ineptitude!
  • limit (07/11/2016, 11:21) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    boy ms callwood if he was a shark he would be well protected ,its a dam shame
  • so sorry to hear (07/11/2016, 11:38) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    If that was a promise made to you then it should have been done. A man is only as good as his word.
  • Scary Mary (07/11/2016, 12:30) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    I feel so very sad for this poor lady and her son, but the fact of the matter is that because we are unable to care for so many with special needs, those with special needs need to be realistic.

    As difficult and as sad as it may be, I believe the only solution is for Ms. Callwood and her son move to Tortola and find an apartment near or in Road Town, so that he may get the treatment he needs and feel safe in doing it.

    It's a shame, but I see no way around it.
    • Comment (07/11/2016, 14:44) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
      @scary Mary she has been trying to do that very same thing, but she cannot find a dwelling in the road town area that is ground level and acommodating to her son that he may be able to manuever around in the chair. It also has to be in an area that he can be reached by the Adina Donovan bus

      Maybe she can get suggestions from others on the whereabout of some dwelling (I guess)
      • Scary Mary (07/11/2016, 16:39) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
        Well then maybe we can ask the Rotary clubs and the greater community to try to raise the funds or something like this wheelchair for him just to get him down to the boat and back.

        http://www.accesstr.com/X8-Extreme-4x4-Wheelchair-p/ex4x4.htm
  • Political Strategy.. (07/11/2016, 13:22) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    That what politicians do, and they fool us every time.
  • BVI UK resident (07/11/2016, 14:17) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    Since I've been living in the UK I have seen life from a totally different point of view. No one should be denied an education. When I drop my daughter to her school, I see children of all sort of abilities entering the campus as well as at other schools. Some in wheelchairs hook up to all kind of gadgets, some with prosthesis, some with no arms or fingers etc. They are treated like all of the other children. They have aids with them in their classes. The bathrooms are equipped for them to use. Infrastructure is in place at every level. Guess their only complaints are for better service than what they have. I don't know for a fact, but I heard that these children are set up by the UK Government for housing and other allowances for as long as they are disabled.
    Now the Premier and members of the government travel and they see how it is done elsewhere. Why on earth the BVI don't even have a disability Act up to this day and age? It is a shame
    Why should a mother, who is also facing her own battle, have to be crying for help in such a prosperous Territory? I have no doubt that she is doing all that is within her power to do, because that is what we mums do.
    I am ashamed to read this article and to know that this is happening.
  • weed (07/11/2016, 15:35) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    WHAT IS NEW HERE?
  • BVI NYC Resident (07/11/2016, 21:03) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    @BVI UK Resident, here in the States the Government do the same things that you mentioned for people with disabilities.
  • John (07/11/2016, 23:07) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    Why can't Mitch have this road fixed? How much will it cost? Do these men run only to get a higher pay? Christopher would have fixed it.


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