“I need that kind of help for me to know what is wrong with him. Will he walk? Will he be able to talk?” – Mardrie Joseph
For Mardrie Joseph, 2024 was a year of heartbreak and hope. In February, her rented home went up in flames, destroying all her belongings and forcing her to start over from scratch.
Despite the devastating loss, her gratitude remains steadfast—her seven-year-old son, Jacob, who has cerebral palsy, was rescued by quick-thinking neighbours.
Sitting with Jacob on the wooden floor of their new rented home, Mardrie recounts her story to St Lucia Times, vividly recalling the day her world was turned upside down.
“I woke up that morning and carried on with my day as usual. Jacob fell asleep, and I decided to get something to eat because I didn’t have anything to eat or gas to cook. On my way back, I saw my house engulfed in flames,” she recalls. “All I wanted to do was run in and save my son. But to God be the glory, the people around saved him.”
Jacob’s condition is a daily challenge for Mardrie, but she meets it with unwavering love and resilience: “He has cerebral palsy and nerve issues. It’s a tough journey, but I love my son. I try to make every day a fun day for us, even when I feel heavy-hearted.”
Her biggest wish is to get the support Jacob needs to improve his motor skills so that he can attend a special needs school. At present, his limited abilities have prevented him from being enrolled.
“You know, I would love to have the help of a chiropractor because he has spine issues and wrist issues. He cannot stand properly. I cannot pay for his full-term medical bill, but I have the incentive from the government where I go with the card and if there is a medical issue pending, he would be exempted from that cost. He just needs a full examination. I need that kind of help for me to know what is wrong with him. Will he walk? Will he be able to talk?”
For Mardrie, getting Jacob into school would be life-changing. “This year, I wanted to enroll him, but there was a limited amount of space in the special ed programme. It’s a setback, but I’m not giving up,” she says.
Her hope is that with Jacob in school, she can secure a job and provide for him as any mother would.
“All I want is to care for my son and give him the best chance at life,” she says.
Mardrie’s journey hasn’t been easy, and she has faced attempts by others to exploit her circumstances. For those who wish to assist, she asks to be contacted directly at 1 (758) 719-2452.
