Dear Editor,
I am a Catholic priest in Georgetown. First and foremost, I would like to thank Stabroek News for publishing the two news articles (November 20; 22) on Edris Fraser (‘Mentally disabled woman helpless as health, home deteriorate’; ‘Mentally disabled woman hospitalized’). I vouchsafe that this story has not been concocted, and the family has no reason to be displeased with the stories published in the SN.
It was on Monday, November 7, 2011, that three members of St Vincent De Paul Society (SVP) went to deliver a hamper. They saw Ms Edris Fraser (known as Betty) immobile on the floor, while her daughter was looking through the window laughing hysterically. Immediately, the mother was given first aid and was placed back on the bed. The members immediately tried to contact the Ministry of Human Services, but their attempts were futile because Monday was a national holiday. Engulfed by panic and anxiety, the ladies called me to the scene.
As I was getting ready to leave for Kitty, an elderly person from Albouystown gave me $5000 to spend on poor people. As I reached the spot, the victim of social neglect appeared to have overcome the crisis, so I gave the donation to the SVP members and asked them to render care until social services intervened to help. On Tuesday, along with Fr Marlon I went to the Ministry of Human Services to request the necessary help for this family. But unfortunately, after going to different desks, we reached the probation desk and were asked to wait. After waiting for a few minutes, we left because of the nature of my work. As we were coming down the stairs, we happened to run into Minister of Labour Manzoor Nadir, who was kind enough to listen to our story and gave me his personal number with the promise of following it up. That very day, I drafted a letter and submitted a copy to the probation officer and another to the secretary to the Minister.
Thereafter, I went on a couple of occasions to see some persons I know in the ministry to facilitate the process.
Last week I paid a visit to the victim’s house and I found the house was locked. So I placed the food I had carried in front of the door and came back home.
Then I learnt through the members of the SVP that the mother had been admitted to hospital. So I arrived at the conclusion that the ministry had probed the matter and had given the necessary assistance.
When all this was happening, I came across very many people who sympathized with these two neglected souls, except the members of the family. I did not come across one member of the family during my visits to the victim’s house all those days. Now I am surprised to come across the claim that the family doesn’t need any help from Human Services. My memory refuses to slough off the stench and the inhuman conditions under which these two people lived. I sense that the ego of the family members is hurt. Both Margaret and David have promised that the mother and sister will be carried to a new house. But I would like to remind the family of the adage “a house does not make home.“ If they get help from overseas and both of them are healthy, they should make sure these two blood relatives never go back to their former condition. I am sorry if I happen to hurt their egos again.
Yours faithfully,
Fr Edwin Thadheu SJ
St Pius X RC Church
