Amputee trying to stay positive despite setbacks
Despite the challenges she faces due to diabetes and the partial loss of a limb, Patricia ‘Miss Patsy’ Hamilton exudes optimism and determination.
Donned in a vibrant orange dress, the resilient 60-year-old graciously welcomed the news team, though her vision was hindered because of her high blood pressure. She has been battling diabetes since 2001, but confidently looks forward to more years of meaningful life. “God is good. Mi want him carry me fi one next 15 years,” she said beaming. The eldest of eight children and a mother of five, Hamilton reminisced about her thriving small business, where she sold a variety of goods, from ground provisions to haberdashery items. She would often ‘trust’ or give away groceries to people seeking assistance. However, her ailments took a toll on her health, especially when she began experiencing excruciating pain in her right leg.
“I had the sugar till mi foot just start hurt me, but when mi go Public [Hospital, I was] in and out until them admit me. The doctor said mi have infection in a di foot, and from dat mi admit. The eighth a March a come [is] six years the foot cut off,” she said. The leg was amputated below the knee.
Further complications arose when she experienced pains in her other foot, leading to a diagnosis of arthritis. However, an X-ray revealed a more serious issue.
“Di doctor say the knee eat out, di sugar eat out the knee, so it’s six years now I don’t walk or stand up,” she said.
Recalling the operations to save her other leg, Hamilton said the doctors had to “cut it out”, referring to the sole of her foot. While she can stand on the leg to balance as she climbs into bed, she cannot stand long enough to do anything strenuous. She had to close down her business, leaving her with insufficient funds to cover medical bills and other necessities. She has to rely on one of her brothers or her daughter, who buys ground provisions for her to resell on Sundays. Hamilton explained the difficulty in adjusting to her immobility.
“Mi neva used to comfortable. Mi never tell myself seh mi can live with it, [and] mi cry day [and] night. Mi nah get no help. More time mi haffi beg, because mi have children but everybody have dem own problem,” she lamented.
Her daughter, who tries to assist her, also juggles two jobs and is not able to cook for her every day. “Every time mi try cook, mi bun up miself. Mi just haffi live pon likkle crackers; and when they cook they give me,” she said. But Hamilton expressed gratitude for the assistance she receives and is determined to make the best of her
resources, despite persistent pain in her leg. Her wheelchair also lacks footrests, which causes swelling in her legs.
“Mi foot dem swell up because dem hang down. When dem swell up, it hurt me bad a night-time, all three day it tek fi draw dung,” she said. Despite her hardships, Hamilton remains resilient.
“God is good! More time mi fed up and seh mi would a run go out pon di road and run inna something, but mi bredda tell me seh, ‘No mi sister, nuh think dem way deh’,” she said. “Mi a tell dem [other amputees] seh fi pray and beg God fi keep them. You must have somebody that will render assistance, so just keep faith and don’t give up.”
Hamilton is hoping for assistance with essential items and groceries that she can then sell.
“Time is hard for everybody and I’m not pressuring anyone. But any assistance would be greatly appreciated,” she said.