Blind man facing life on street as house to be demolished
Published:Friday | October 11, 2024 | 12:08 AMAshley Anguin/Gleaner Writer
Western Bureau:
Already facing a miserable existence, being blind and depending on the kindness of others to survive, 56-year-old Orville ‘Blacka’ Cameron of Water Lane in Montego Bay, St James, is now poised to face even more misery as his dilapidated house is to be demolished soon.
“I am so afraid of being homeless,” said Cameron, who revealed to The Gleaner that the deplorable one-bedroom rented house he has been living in since 2007 is to be demolished by the owner, who wants to redevelop the property.
Cameron, who has an illness that is affecting his heart and kidneys, is childless and without any immediate family member with the capacity to help him, fears that unless a good Samaritan comes to his assistance, he will end up on the streets of Montego Bay.
“Mi brain is all over the place because of fear. It just nuh deh ya suh. I just want somewhere I can sleep comfortably and call home. I don’t want somewhere where people just nag me and make me uncomfortable,” said Cameron. “My friend who helps me pay rent says the people want them place, and I have two weeks to move out or they will bulldoze the place with me in there.”
According to Cameron, he was given notice in August to leave the property but because he has not been able to find another place to live, he has had no choice but to stay where he is. He said he was reminded several weeks ago that he should vacate the house.
“This week will be my last week here. The person who helps me can’t help me anymore because he has his own things to deal with. The room I am in, I can’t see to go and find the guy for him to explain,” said Cameron. “I am from Kingston, so I don’t really have any family here in Montego Bay. I have a few friends here who normally give me food or the caring centre to get food, but that is about it.”
Cameron said he is trying to get a house built through the Poor Relief Department of the St James Municipal Corporation, but he needs help in getting a piece of land to place the house on.
“The councillor (Richard Vernon) for this area, who is also the mayor of Montego Bay, is trying to help me get a house from Poor Relief. They say I need to have a piece of land with the title to put the house on,” said Cameron. “A gentleman near here is willing to rent me a room, but I am not working, so I don’t have the money to pay him. In the meantime, if someone could assist me with renting a place, I would take it.”
Surrounded by broken boards from a section of the dwelling that is falling apart, Cameron seemed in a dazed as he tried to explain the misery he is now facing.
“It is so difficult for me right now,” said Cameron, who admits to having suicidal thoughts at times. “I am very sad right now. Too many things happening to me. Sometimes in the nights I don’t even sleep because I am afraid that they will put me out in the night.”
“Doctors want to admit me on the psychiatric ward, but I don’t want that. If I go there, I might come back and see my things thrown outta door, and I am afraid of that,” explained Cameron.
STILL HOPEFUL
Despite his circumstances, Cameron remains hopeful that a miracle to change his life is still possible. He is not overly concerned about his health as he has developed a tight bond with his doctors, who regularly check in on him.
“My doctors say if I get a place like up in Anchovy or Cambridge, them nah come up deh, and I don’t want to be too far from them either. I will be willing to go into a home temporarily, but what am I going to do with my things?” he pondered. “My bed, dresser, a boom box, my clothes and shoes are all I have left. I can’t afford to lose anything else.”
How you can help
If you want to help Orville Cameron, you can contact him at 876-792-1091.
Scotiabank Branch: Montego Bay
Account Type: Savings
Account number: 1012945