This afternoon, I assisted my former Principal in a door to door community sensitization to the Zika virus, which was sponsored by Red Cross in Jamaica. Communities like Rose Garden, Rural Hill, Kensington, Long Bay, etc., in Portland, are particularly at risk for Zika because of the prevalence of water, rainfall and lushness. With the elderly, infants, those with compromised immune systems and women of childbearing age as the most vulnerable, I felt this sensitization was of value to the health of those in the community, and indeed, it was well received.
I had planned to go to the beach today, but I didn’t get there as I expected. Donned in swimsuit and coverall, I attended to a greater pull on my heartstrings- making sure the people in the community I serve have the necessary information to protect their homes and families from the proliferation of the mosquitoes that spread this life altering Zika virus.
The Zika virus is in Jamaica and has now been identified as also transmitted sexually. In an effort to control the Zika-transmitting Aedes aegypti mosquito, people need to be informed, so as to make informed and educated choices to protect themselves and their loved ones.
In the process of going door to door, I met this beautiful woman just up the hill from my home away from home. She celebrated her 105 birthday last month. She was born in Panama of Jamaican parentage, and returned to Jamaica some time after. She now lives alone and has a caretaker who assists her, but does not live with her. I was most excited inspired by her sweet, humble demeanor. She is simply a beauty-in spirit, in disposition and in appearance.
It is certainly true that the elderly and young children have always held a special place in my heart, and I will do whatever is within my power to protect them or simply be a voice, an ear, a friend as needed. In high school, I volunteered and worked with the elderly-reading to them, helping take care of them or just sitting with them when there was no one else. Many years later, I became an advocate for the elderly and a Guardian ad litem for children in Florida. I count myself blessed to have met this lovely lady and I will make it a duty to frequently check on her-my new friend up the hill whose beauty certainly confirms the old adage, ‘age s but a number.’ Feeling quite inspired.
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