BY LEIGHTON WILLIAMS, Staff Reporter
Hubert Bartley at home in Grange Lane, St. Catherine. - LEIGHTON WILLIAMS PHOTO
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2005, started out as a normal day for 16-year-old Hubert Bartley.
He visited his friends off Old Harbour Road, St. Catherine, gave money to 'run a boat' and watched television. But, later in the evening as he left for home, something happened that would change his life forever.
While leaving his friend's house, he was shot in the side of the head by men who mistook him for someone else. The incident has left him blind, as the bullet flew through the other side of his head and damaged his eyes in the process. In addition, his teeth were shattered after the same men shot him under his chin.
Since then, Hubert, although grateful that he is still alive, has been in pain and requires treatment at least twice weekly.
"I have a little headache but it's not that bad, mi haffi give tanks fi life yuh nuh. Yuh have to find a way to hold on an dats what mi a do yuh nuh," he said as he sat up in bed.
Since the incident, Hubert has been unable to eat. In fact, for the next two to three months he can only have liquids.
"The doctor dem seh mi caan eat nuh food until di braces come a mi mouth. If mi yawn mi feel mi mouth pain mi. If mi mout open too wide mi feel it," said Hubert.
Hubert's recovery has affected his entire family. His hospital bill stands at $61,000. This fee does not include his out-patient care which amounts to $4,000 per week because he has to visit the hospital every Monday and Wednesday. In addition, Hubert will require glass eyes early next year to prevent his face from being deformed. The cost of those eyes has been at $120,000 and his mother Marcia Scott said because of Hubert's injuries, she is unable to get a steady income to pay for his care.
"Mi likkle business mash up because mi haffi carry him go hospital every week. Mi stall weh mi use to sell coconut and fruits mash up. Plus every week mi haffi find $4,000 fi taxi fare," she said.
The inability to earn money has affected the rest of the family as Hubert's siblings are unable to attend school as frequently as they should. Ms. Scott said on the day before the interview, her children were kept home as she had to take Hubert to the hospital with the money she had. She said she is the sole parent for Hubert as she hardly gets money from his father.
Still, Hubert hopes things will change. He is hoping help will come from somewhere to take some of the burden off his mother.
"Mi would a like fi har fi get some help. It hard on her because a me still. I don't know how she do it still but mi would a like di public fi help her please," he begged.
And, he would like to go back to school and to hear his friends' voices again. He doesn't know when that will happen, but he has hope that his prayers will be answered and help will come.
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