Reporter helps ill boatman access care

In journalism–particularly when practiced in a small society–there are times when a reporter sent to cover a story cannot help but become part of the story. That’s what happened to News Five’s Jacqueline Woods this morning when she was called out to the Belize City Marine Terminal to investigate a report of a man in trouble.

Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
Exactly what is wrong with seventy-six year old Oswald Cadogan is not clear, but this morning his friends had to carry him off the tugboat Pioneer where he had worked for several years and recently taken up residence. Cadogan?s feet were terribly swollen, his eyes had severe conjunctivitis, and he appeared to have some difficulty breathing. The problem was that everyone in the area seemed to be at a loss as to how to get help for the elderly man. The boat?s owner, Jack Guild, says when arrived on the scene he saw Cadogan lying helplessly on the vessel that is anchored behind the marine terminal by the Belize City Swing Bridge.

Jack Guild, Friend/Former employer
?Well we are trying to help him, but if he refuse to accept the assistance… I mean he is a big man, we can?t compel him to do anything.?

Jacqueline Woods
?How long you have known him??

Jack Guild
?Oh over the last twenty years or more than that, thirty odd years. He is an old boatman out here and we?ve been friends all over that period of time.?

The Belize Emergency Response Team did send an ambulance, but left the scene after the patient refused to go. We tried talking with Cadogan to find out what was the problem. Cadogan, who was too weak to walk and could not make it to the bathroom, had soiled his clothes, yet he maintains everything was just fine… But after a few minutes talking to him, an emotional Cadogan finally felt comfortable enough to receive whatever help he needed.

Oswald Cadogan
?To be truthful, I feel good.?

Jacqueline Woods
?But you don?t look like you are in good shape Oswald, you look like you need medical attention, you need to go to the hospital.?

Oswald Cadogan
?Well maybe I have to go then, maybe I have to go then… I would say it is a fitting position for me to walk, serious thing.?

Jacqueline Woods
?You cannot walk??.

(Shakes head, no)

Jacqueline Woods
?So if the ambulance comes for you right now, you will leave with them so they can take you to the hospital??

Oswald Cadogan
?Yes.?

Jacqueline Woods
?You will leave with them??

(Shakes head, yes)

Jacqueline Woods
?When they came for you this morning, why you didn?t you want to leave with them??

Oswald Cadogan
?Man, I wanted to stay and afterwards I decide I would stay for a couple of days more.?

Once, Cadogan reassured us that he would go with the emergency medical technicians, we called for them and they quickly responded.

While Oswald Cadogan was safely transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, there are many like him who are not so fortunate. Some seniors are abandoned by family, or for some reason or the other they simply refuse to be helped. Organisations like Helpage Belize and the Human Services Department do respond to the calls but as we found out, the process is not easy. Helpage Executive Director Sharon Pollack says it?s about time families begin to support their loved ones because the existing services providers just cannot handle the rising caseload.

Sharon Pollack, Executive Director, Helpage Belize
?Right now at the Sister Cecilia Home and other homes we are under staff, because only three men at the home can look after themselves. The rest of them, it?s total, total care from the staff and they are over-burdened right now.?

?We have to reach our people here in Belize and say, you know what, your parents looked after you. And looking after an older person, yes, it?s hard but you get graces, you get blessings for doing it. It?s something that makes you grow better and makes us as the younger ones look after ourselves now that we will age healthily.?

If you happen to come across a case like we did, it is best to first contact Social Services who will then contact the relevant authorities. As for Oswald Cadogan? He remains hospitalised, but it is hoped he will be reunited with family who will provide the support he needs. Jacqueline Woods for News Five.