Personal Stories

Jane Fagan

Jane is an 83-year-old member of the REACH daycare. She has lived on her own since her husband died over 30 yrs ago. Though she lives week to week on the little money she has, Jane takes great pride in her independence and attends to all her own daily needs with little help from others. Jane walks to the REACH office to pick up her weekly food package; this walk is about 30 minutes long from her home. She always attends daycare and livens up the other participants. She takes pride in her appearance and always wears bright dresses, headscarves and jewelry. Jane is an excellent example of how one can stay happy with their life even if they don’t have many material possessions.

Octavia Joseph

Octavia, a 60-something year old member of the St. Joseph group has been a large contributor to the preparation of the weekly meal for many years. Octavia also aids with the serving of the meal to those who have mobility issues. Due a pre-existing problem with her knee Octavia fell outside her church and fractured her wrist. After wearing a cast for 3 months, Octavia is diligent with her exercises and is able to do more at the daycare. She is still being careful but has shown patience and though she would like more independence (now getting help with her own cooking and laundry) she is understanding and continues to keep a great attitude.

 

Miss Jean Paul

Jean Paul is a quiet and polite 73 year old Dominican lady who has never left her island.  Her relaxed personality with a hard working nature is truly an example of the people from her day.  She lives very minimally by herself with no running water or electricity, just on the outskirts of the capital of Roseau.  She has three (3) children, two daughters and one son. Jean loves her country and how much water and greenery it has to offer. As a young woman, she would buy fish from the bayside and sell it at the market on the weekends. Today she no longer has the energy to do such business, but instead buys mangos from farmers when in season and sells them along her roadside.

Jean’s health is better then most people her age. Her eyes are not as sharp as her mind and she is starting to feel the affects of arthritis. Despite her health, Jean keeps very active and is a physically capable woman. She enjoys walking everywhere and is grateful that she is able to do so. She recently joined the REACH Day Care which she enjoys very much. Although she is not one of the younger members, she helps out as though she is a worker. She is very helpful and resourceful and she finds satisfaction in coming to help the elderly that need help.

 

Miss Josephine Matthew
Miss Josephine Matthew better known as Ma Joe, is 76 years old and lives with her daughter in Bath Estate. She is diabetic and also hypertensive. She has four (4) children and six (6) grandchildren living both in Dominica and New York.
In her earlier years, Ma Joe held two (2) job; working at the public convenience on Bay Front and picking and selling limes. Among her hobbies are cooking and playing bingo. Her favourite foods are rice, plantain, green bananas and fish. Ma Joe is the only gran at the R.E.A.C.H. Day Care that can play four (4) bingo cards at once without even marking them. She stated, “I love and enjoy Sundays because I can attend church and relax for the rest of the day in peace and quiet.
 

 
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