[UPDATED] 'I need grant to support my son'

A WOMAN who was told by officials from the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services that the grant of $1,300 will be stopped which is used to support her 13-year-old son who has cerebral palsy (CP) can now receive a Disability Assistance Grant of $1,500 monthly.

When contacted for comment, Minister of Social Development and Family Services Cherrie-Ann Crichlow-Cockburn empathised with Mootoo's struggles and suggested all of the family's information be forwarded to her so she can investigate and see what can be done.

After 4.30 pm yesterday, Crichlow-Cockburn told Newsday Mootoo case was not stopped and the grant is paid to the father of the child, Navin Mootoo.
She said the matter was reviewed and it was discovered that both mother and father are employed.

"Additionally, they own a store in the San Juan area and they were trying to establish income from the store. Mr Mootoo visited the office on Tuesday to submit information and was advised that the grant will stop because of the income in the household
"Kindly note that the son may now qualify for a Disability Assistance Grant of $1500.00 monthly. This is not subject to the Means Test nor affected by the household’s income."

Stacey Mootoo whose son Adam was diagnosed with CP at the age of two months, said that last month, the ministry stopped the grant because she opened a store four months ago in front of her home. Mootoo, in an interview yesterday, said she opened the store in order to sell items donated to her so she could raise money to support her child.

Mootoo said not having government's support by way of the grant, has added to the stress of struggling to support her child, so much so, that is has affected her health.

"He cannot speak. I know he is in constant pain and it is heart-breaking to see my son like this. I get one of his medication on CDAP which is Epilim Syrup. We have to buy Rivotril, Phenobarbitone, Bisolvon for congestion of his chest, BNT and Fucidin for his bedsores.
“I have medical needs as well and I can’t see about myself because any money we get has to be used for Adam's medication first before anything else. I feel dizzy all the time and I suffer from a lot of headaches because I hardly get to sleep,” Mootoo said.
Because Adam is completely dependent on his parents even to move, Mootoo said her husband has had to work shorter hours to help take care of his son and because of this, jobs are few and far between.

“Is it a crime to try to help yourself? It is hard, really hard. My husband has to help me lift up Adam to bath and place him on his bed.
“He sells soil and manure to make some money. He barely makes $2,000 a month. I get donations from my family and friends which goes into the shop to sell. Last week I made seventy-five dollars and I was thankful for this as it went to buy a tin of powdered milk for my boy."

Mootoo said three months ago a social welfare officer visited the family home in San Juan where she was instructed to close down the shop and then re-apply for the grant.
“Taking care of Adam is like taking care of a newborn baby every single day. One pack of pampers lasts Adam a day."

Anyone willing to help the family can contact Stacey Mootoo at 758-3938.

This story was originally published with the title "Detainees dine on lamb, turkey" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

A WOMAN is begging the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services to reinstate the grant which was stopped so that she can better support her 13-year-old son who has cerebral palsy (CP).

Stacey Mootoo whose son Adam was diagnosed with CP at the age of two months, said that last month, the ministry stopped the grant because she opened a store four months ago in front of her home. Mootoo, in an interview yesterday, said she opened the store in order to sell items donated to her so she could raise money to support her child.

Mootoo said not having government's support by way of the grant, has added to the stress of struggling to support her child, so much so, that is has affected her health.

"He cannot speak. I know he is in constant pain and it is heart-breaking to see my son like this. I get one of his medication on CDAP which is Epilim Syrup. We have to buy Rivotril, Phenobarbitone, Bisolvon for congestion of his chest, BNT and Fucidin for his bedsores.

“I have medical needs as well and I can’t see about myself because any money we get has to be used for Adam's medication first before anything else. I feel dizzy all the time and I suffer from a lot of headaches because I hardly get to sleep,” Mootoo said.

Because Adam is completely dependent on his parents even to move, Mootoo said her husband has had to work shorter hours to help take care of his son and because of this, jobs are few and far between.

“Is it a crime to try to help yourself? It is hard, really hard. My husband has to help me lift up Adam to bath and place him on his bed.

“He sells soil and manure to make some money. He barely makes $2,000 a month. I get donations from my family and friends which goes into the shop to sell. Last week I made seventy-five dollars and I was thankful for this as it went to buy a tin of powdered milk for my boy."

Mootoo said three months ago a social welfare officer visited the family home in San Juan where she was instructed to close down the shop and then re-apply for the grant.

“Now they have stopped the grant I don’t know how or what we will do. I will like someone from the ministry to spend one day with Adam to understand what we go through every day. It is like taking care of a newborn baby very single day. One pack of pampers lasts Adam a day."

Contacted for comment, Minister of Social Development and Family Services Cherrie-Ann Crichlow-Cockburn empathised with Mootoo's struggles and suggested all of the family's information be forwarded to her so she can investigate and see what can be done.

“Send me the information with the mother’s name and her contact number so I will check with the ministry to find out if it was in fact stopped and the reason. Then I will be in a better position to advise her how to go forward. I will follow up on the matter,” the minister said. Anyone willing to help the family can contact Stacey Mootoo at 758-3938.