MAY PEN, Clarendon — Nine-year-old Alex Scott’s dream is to become a firefighter, not only to help those in need but also to earn enough money to support his ailing mother, 33-year-old Latoya Brown. She suffers from multiple health issues including an enlarged heart — for which she wears a pacemaker — sickle cell disease, impaired vision and high blood pressure.

“I would like to take my mom to stay at a nice hotel because I think she would have fun. It will take her mind off things. But I don’t know if she will live that long because she has so much sickness,” the youngster said of the only parent he knows.

Brown, who lives on Sevens Road, Clarendon, is worried about the impact her ill health is having on her child. She is becoming sicker every day, she said, even though she constantly seeks medical attention.

“My illnesses affect my son negatively because he shouts at me sometimes, maybe because he feels pressured to be looking after me [while] going to school,” she said of the Effortville Primary student.

“Sometimes I just sit and tears fall from my eyes. But I understand that he is under pressure with schoolwork and sometimes I may call him to assist me with something. But I really can’t do any better. I feel a way because I am putting undue pressure on him. I would love to see so I can at least look after him,” said Brown.

As she spoke, the ticking sound from her pacemaker became faster, an indicator of the stress she feels at the thought of not being able to adequately care for her child.

“My eyes are sick, I’m not seeing well, I am only glimpsing. The doctors say a cataract is covering the right eye. There is blood behind it too. I can barely see my fingers. They say the nerve behind my right eye tear and they say that is the only one they can try to save. I really need the help to fix it because I can’t see to do anything for my son. I am really sick,” she appealed.

Her inability to care for her child is compounded by the fact that she relies so heavily on him.

“Sometimes after he leaves for school I don’t eat until he gets back because I can’t manage on my own. He has to get ready for school by himself and I am not sure how he looks when he leaves the house. That makes me feel frustrated, not being able to do anything for myself or my son. My mother lives with us and used to look after me but she too is sick and has been admitted in the hospital for more than a month now,” said Brown.

She is hoping eye surgery will help alleviate some of her burdens but she cannot afford it. A quotation from Ophthalmic Suites shows that she is in need of vitrectomy surgery which will cost $1.5 million. Ophthalmologist Dr Maynard McIntosh has confirmed her medical condition.

“Adding to the growing list of medical conditions are fibroids and an enlarged liver. I have been wearing the pacemaker since I was 16. I was born with sickle cell disease and the doctor say that it’s causing the eyes to go bad,” she added.

“I need to be able to look after my son. I don’t want him to end up in a gang or anything like that just because I can’t look after him. Please if there is anyone out there who would like to help me I really need it,” she urged.

Anyone interested in providing financial assistance to the family may do so through Latoya Brown’s NCB May Pen Account #564305480 or contact her at (876) 529-1598.