Family struck by blindness – Four women in household lose sight
by
Hopeton Bucknor
In the space of nine years, all four women in the family, which resides in Crowder district in Grange Hill, Westmoreland, have become blind.
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When Vanessa Baker lost her sight in 2008, the members of her family had no idea that it was the beginning of misery and frustration in the household. Vanessa was 14 years old at the time, and attending Grange Hill High School. Months before she had dropped out of school after she got pregnant, and before giving birth, Vanessa lost her sight.
Throughout her ordeal, her older sisters Shanelle and Veneisha provided her with all the support she needed. They were her hands, eyes and feet. But just when the family was adjusting to life with one of its members being blind, fate struck a terrible blow.
In the space of nine years, all four women in the family, who reside in Crowder district in Grange Hill, Westmoreland, have become blind. The only person in their household with sight is the father, Derrick Baker. Shanelle Baker, 29, lost her sight in 2015, her mother, Viris Lynch,61, lost her sight in 2016, and Veneisha, 27, lost her sight in 2017.
“At first, we all thought it was just a normal case blindness on mi daughters (Vanessa), but after my oldest daughter, Shanelle, lost her sight, we started to take it serious,” Lynch, said.
“We took both daughters to the doctor, and we were told that my family suffers from a rare case of glaucoma ,” said the distressed woman. “We did everything we could, but we did not have the money to go further, and we could not afford the treatment.”
Viris said that apart from her great-grand mother, she is not aware of any member of her family who is blind.
The only man in the house, Derrick Baker, 60, is the sole breadwinner. He said that he has been doing all sorts of odd jobs to make ends meet and keep his family afloat.
“I now have to work night and day to sustain my family ,” he told THE WEEKEND STAR.
“A me have to be the eyes for everyone and sometime family chip in and assist us in any way they can, ” he added.
The darkness is tuh di left of that pic.
My God This is truly sad, healing in the name of JESUS. Jesus please have mercy upon this family. Continue to pray, God be with you all. Hold on Papa.
Another case for Mattie nottage
I cannot imagine these young women struck down with blindness in the prime of their youth. Is there a notable eye specialist somewhere they can see. I would happily donate to anything that could assist with them getting their sight back. May Derrick find the strength to hold up to all he is called upon to do.
Met can you get some info because I’m interested in making a donation