Midwife has Mother’s Day message

When we think of Mother’s Day, most of us think of, well, mothers. But because there is no grandparents day celebrated in Belize, we sometimes forget the important role that grandmothers play. These wonderful women have been known to raise little ones long after their own children are grown, and take care of children not even related to them by blood. Sometimes, we even meet grandmothers who not only raise babies, but bring them into this world.

Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
In 1957, Dorothy Mae Bradley began delivering babies across the country. Today, at age seventy-eight Bradley spends most of her time either at home or doing community work in Burrell Boom Village where she has lived most of her life. But she has certainly not retired as a midwife.

Dorothy Mae Bradley, Registered Midwife
?I just feel, feel to go at it. I just love to do it. I love to see her relief from her pain and I love to see a newborn baby.?

It?s a joy she personally experienced when she was only eighteen years old when she gave birth to her only child. Bradley, however, went on to adopt two children and became godmother and caregiver to countless young ones. She continues to counsel people of all ages and remain true to her faith.

Dorothy Mae Bradley
?I stand for God, Miss Jackie, I stand for God. All of we, the Bible say, none of we good, we all sin and come short of the glory of God. In my past I have made some mistakes too, but I turn to God fully and I do nothing without him.?

It?s a spiritual relationship that has helped Bradley cope with the passing of her parents Charles and Eunice Pinkard and her husband of forty years, Gregory Oscar Bradley. She is considered a pillar of the community and received numerous certificates of recognition, honoured as a Belizean patriot and Justice of the Peace. Bradley admits that mothers today have a far more challenging time raising children and offers this advice to both mother and child.

Dorothy Mae Bradley
?Anytime your child ready to turn to you, even what they did to you, still have love for them. Whenever they come to you show them love. And children should not turn from their mother. ?

Mother’s Day will be celebrated on Sunday, May eighth.