The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

AN 18-year-old with a physical disability has been living in a Grand Bahama elderly care home since May after his mother reportedly dropped him off for what was supposed to be less than a week and never returned.

DeAngelo, known as “DJ”, is unable to walk, moves around by crawling and needs surgery in the United States that the home caring for him cannot afford.

Irene Burrows, operator of Burrows Home for the Aged, said DJ’s mother brought him to the facility in May, telling her she was travelling to New Providence to look for work and would return within five days to a week.

“She hasn't come back,” Ms Burrows said. “And that was from in May.”

She said DJ’s mother has not provided money for his care and repeated efforts to get her to return have produced little more than promises.

“I tried and promises, promises, promises,” Ms Burrows said.

She said the mother has at different times said she was in New Providence or would return the following summer, while often failing to answer the telephone.

DJ, meanwhile, remains at a facility intended for elderly people.

Burrows Home for the Aged has operated for 23 years, Ms Burrows said, but DJ is the first 18-year-old to live there.

“He has nowhere to go, and we're keeping him because we got used to him,” she said. “And he likes it here. He’s quite happy, as you could see.”

The teenager’s medical needs have now become another pressing concern.

Ms Burrows said DJ cannot walk and has to crawl on the floor to get around.

“He needs surgery for his legs,” she said.

According to Ms Burrows, DJ has been advised that the procedure must be performed in the United States because the operation required to correct his legs is not available locally.

“They have to break the legs and reset it,” she said.

She said DJ would also need about three months of therapy afterwards, putting the cost of treatment beyond the Home’s means.

“That’s a lot of money, you know?” Ms Burrows said. “I just want to see if someone can help.”

Despite being left at the home, DJ said he has grown attached to Ms Burrows and enjoys living there.

“He loves it here,” Ms Burrows said.

Asked how he felt about his mother not visiting him, DJ said: “She ain't been check on me.”

He said it made him feel “a little bit sad.”

Ms Burrows said DJ arrived without basic belongings before her friends helped provide some of the things he needed.

“He didn't have anything when he came here,” she said. “My friends got together and got him a little tablet now. He's happy with that.”

The teenager has also received visitors since his circumstances became public.

Ms Burrows said teachers from the Beacon School and representatives from the Children's Home, where DJ previously stayed, have visited him.

She said no relatives have visited him.

Despite the cost of caring for DJ and his medical needs, Ms Burrows said she will not turn him away.

“I can't turn nobody away,” she said.

The home is now appealing for financial assistance to help DJ obtain surgery and rehabilitation.

“He needs surgery on his leg,” Ms Burrows said. “I just want to see if someone can help.”