Ashney Manning - Contibuted

Thirteen-year-old Ashney Manning has a bright future ahead of her, having won a scholarship to attend high school. The only problem is that she has been unable to take up the scholarship because she has rheumatoid arthritis and her mother can barely afford to take care of her.

Rheumatoid arthritis is "a chronic, systemic autoimmune disorder that most commonly causes inflammation and tissue damage in joints (arthritis) and tendon sheaths, together with anaemia".

Manning, who lives in Riverton City, St Andrew, with her mother, passed her G-Sat examinations for Camperdown High School last year, but has not been attending classes because she is in a wheelchair and is unable to go upstairs for classes.

Consistent care

Jacqueline McDonald, her mother, said her daughter requires consistent care which she has been unable to provide as a single parent. "From she tek down sick last year, she suppose to do therapy regular, because they say it would help to make her knees stronger," she said.

However, McDonald does not have money to pay the recurrent expenses, so she has been trying to juggle work and her daughter. The situation is so bad that Manning, who should make regular visits to the doctor, has not seen one since last year August, because her mother cannot afford it.

Expenses

Oftentimes, she goes to work late because she has to stay at home with her daughter to ensure she is ok before going to work. McDonald's inconsistent attendance at work has meant that she cannot afford the expenses associated with her care. "If yuh nuh work, yuh nuh get pay," she said.

She is asking the public to help to get the care her daughter needs so that she can go to school. Her daughter's illness worsened last year January and since then, she has been doing her best to give her the care she needs.

Anyone wishing to assist McDonald and her daughter may contact them at 870-1450.