News

Paralyzed woman gets help

By RASBERT TURNER, Star Writer

Pearl Barrett (left) of Food for the Poor, gives Adina Elliston the key to her house recently. - CONTRIBUTED

ADINA ELLISTON IS still counting her blessings as two years ago she was paralysed from the waist down, pregnant and homeless, but is now walking and the owner of her own house.

Elliston, 41, the mother of eight children, the oldest being 24 and the youngest two, was discovered by the St. Catherine Parish Council's Poor Relief Department, living in a squalor on Job Lane, Spanish Town, in January 2002. She was in an advanced state of pregnancy and moved around on her bottom.

"The state that we found her in, not even an animal could live like this. There was no electricity or water and you could look right through the structure of the house," says Poor Relief Inspector, Vera Rhoof.

Mrs. Rhoof said after finding Elliston, they secured a wheelchair for her from Food for the Poor, and arranged for her to visit hospital. But shortly after, Elliston left the area and was not seen again until she was spotted by a Poor Relief Officer in Crawle District near Bogwalk in December last year. Since then the PRD and the Food for the Poor have been taking care of her and her baby.

"We asked a lady with whom she was staying if anyone had any land to lease, and luckily we got a piece of land at $1,000 yearly, to lease. The Parish Council constructed the foundation and the Food for the Poor did the building. The building is valued at $120,000," revealed Pearl Barrett of Food for the Poor who handed over Elliston the keys to her new home on March 15.

Elliston thanked them for caring and said that with constant prayer all things were possible. "I can remember: it was six years ago I was at home when I got up and could not move; my legs went dead," she recalled.

She added that after going to Crawle, she went to church on January 1, 2002 and while praying, she felt a different feeling. "As I prayed, a cool feeling crept through my lower body and I stood up and started to shout 'Jesus! Jesus!' she added. She told THE STAR that although she moved with the aid of a walker, she was thankful that she was on the way to recovery.

Mrs. Rhoof and the Poor Relief will be sending Elliston to therapy to strengthen her muscles.