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Bed stricken woman claims discrimination from Gov't
To make matters worse, one of the occupants of the apartment, Josette K. Skelton is stricken with multiple sclerosis, a debilitating neurological disease which confines her to bed. She also has a 12 year old son whom she says she can barely afford to maintain because of the hardship she is ensuring.
She said what little she gets as her pension and social security benefits hardly suffices to maintain the two of them, given that she has to spend a lot on items necessary for her because of her affliction.
“I have to get out of here because this place could fall in on me and my son. It is a big problem because every time it rains the roof drops,” said Skelton.
She told this news site that she had to warn her son against sitting in a certain part of the house. And no sooner had he moved when a chunk of the concrete came down smashing the chair that he was in.
She said when an engineer came to the house he said the whole roof is sinking and will eventually come down and come down very soon.
“But I ain’t getting no help…I barely have money because the lil bit I do get, I have my son. His school fees is $70. I could barely buy food,” she said, adding that she has to purchase other medical supplies because of her sickness.
Concerned sister speaks out
Speaking to this news site, the bed-stricken woman’s sister, who preferred her name not to be carried, said that appeals to the Government for help since last year have fallen on deaf ears.
“My sister lives here with her 12 year old son and they sleep with this pending danger. Every time it rains or it gets hot, a piece of the concrete loosens and loosens and loosens,” she said.
“We have gone to contact the Government in terms of Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton. But nothing was done,” she said. She added that appeals to the District Representative Honourable Alvera Maduro-Caines resulted in an engineer visiting the premises to do an inspection but nothing was done.
“Seeing that this situation needs immediate attention and they have political power, why hasn’t something done up to today June 7, 2015,” she said.
She said that she saw Honourable Maduro-Caines come to the community “to get votes” but she did not take the time to go up to the apartment and visit the family.
According to the woman’s sister, “They believe that because we are VIP (Virgin Islands Party) we don’t need assistance. We are ignored constantly whenever we ask for anything. We are right here in the district…how can you ignore us?”
She said that the only person who has helped them is Premier Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith. “She can’t stay like this. An engineer said that a little house can be built downstairs for her until the apartment is repaired but we have no money to do it,” said the sister.
The sister explained that she lost her job because she had to be taking care of her sister. She has also been hospitalised herself because of health issues.
Hon Maduro-Caines responds
Honourable Alvera Maduro-Caines (R6), when contacted by this news site, said that she has been making steps to bring relief to the family. “I am aware of it and am working on getting it sorted out,” she said.
Maduro-Caines explained that she took a contractor to see the premises and she was advised by the contractor that if there is any attempt to fix the ceiling the entire building could collapse because the structure is not good.
She said that she is trying to source some land on the flat so that a house could be built for the woman. “I have asked a friend of mine who has some flat land to see whether they would be willing to lease where we could build a house to move her,” she said.
The incumbent said too that she has spoken to someone in one of the Rotary clubs and is to write a formal letter requesting that the organisation construct a house for the woman.
Persons wishing to render assistance can call 5457779.
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69 Responses to “Bed stricken woman claims discrimination from Gov't”
Having said that, the story mentions her sister, why isn't her sister helping her. Does the sister have a room that this woman can stay in rather than living in this dangerous mess. Families, friends and neighbours are supposed to help each other where there is a need. What about the church? They collect money weekly and are supposed to help those in need. We can't rely on the government for everything. It looks to me like a lot of people have failed this woman.
we can blame government when corruption and graft robs the treasury of much needed funds for social services and when revenue is raised on the backs of the poor as is the case in many instances here.
there is always three sides to a story. If I know Alvea she will help them no matter if she was in politics or not.
Why her si***** don't tell them how much money she got from the government to help her already and she spent it. Is she the responsibility if the rep and she has family. The rep did go up to the house it how else would she know the house was in bad condition.
This story is tearful and it angers me! You mean to tell me that this family cannot be removed to someplace temporary and government subsidise her rental expenses until a home has been built? I continue to say this NDP Government priorities are NOT in order. The lady is in dire straits and Government is playing politics. "£$%% it man, this is heartwrenching!
She had a 12 year old son.
Where is the Dad.
She had health issue ,but but she don't have issue taking a man,well the man and family should try to help.
Alot of poverty is going on because some of us every time we want a dollar we find a politician and when
we get it we do not put it to proper use.when we see a politician again we go begging.I would like to know
where there is poverty and every time we lookaround we see some one not a bvi islander working.If they
can find work then there is no poverty.I do agree cost of living is high but sometimes we have to live within
our means an not having to get the latest gadgets.
This Lady came to Alvera At the last min as in last week. Alvera told her she will get her roof fix for her, Just wait till election is over due to the fact that is so much going on right now. This lady got a loan someday ago. So she just need to stop her nonsense she cannot exspect to get what she want in one day. Good over Evil!
what happ to all the land, money and the house this young lady father left her
What happened to the inheritance? If that was not sufficient I can understand the need for assistance, but if it was squandered, sorry this should not be the tax payers responsibility.
z6ne
We as people need to stop this selfish cultural. country above self
There are over 13000 persons who can vote in these lands. If all were to cry for assistance where would that leave us? As little as it is - Balance sheets don't lie
All you heard on the campaign trail was the glamour of the cruise pier and the smoothglass roads, but the quality of most lives are at the low.
We cannot blame government for everything or any situation what we get our selves into this situation .... that said I am still deeply sorry for her because there is saying today for me and tomorrow for you I will try and give her a donation today and when I am able I will help let start helping each other in need MS SKELTON I will be praying for you.
Today will tell
What about FSN. Lord knows they are overloaded with cries for help, but they might be able to help.
Trickle down economics, eh? How is it in this day and age, when the country has had billions of dollars, that people have to live in such disgusting conditions? It is not necessarily governments problem, but family first, then social services.
Skelton would ignore Josette's plight if he is aware of it.