A wonderful day in MoBay for CCRP

Excerpt from Jamaica Observer column published Monday, 18 March 2019

Guest Speaker Lloyd B Smith welcomed by CCRP Central Jamaica
Convenor Dr Norma Taylor and Executive Member
Mrs Shona Heron

by Jean Lowrie-Chin

Our CCRP event for Montego Bay had been months in planning and then the news came about the daylight shootings.  As we read the headlines, we admit to a few butterflies, but the enthusiasm of our colleagues in the West was not to be denied.

Dr Taylor welcomes guests

Our fears were put to rest as we entered the city and saw a well-manned checkpoint.  We obediently rolled down our windows, and when I looked at the youthful face of the police officer, I thanked him from the bottom of my heart. It cannot be easy for members our security forces to suit up every morning, knowing the dangers of their job.

As we set up for the launch of the Western Chapter of the Caribbean Community of Retired Persons (CCRP) at the Blessed Sacrament Cathedral hall and saw the members arriving: retired police officers, professionals and entrepreneurs, we knew we must never stop working for these intrepid folks, who continue to volunteer for the upliftment of others.

Emcee the dynamic Joy Clark 

There was Dr Norma Taylor of Unity of Montego Bay Worship Centre who arrived laden with items to make the event more comfortable.  There was Shona Heron who had organised registration and catering.  There was Joy Clark, who lent her sparkling talents as emcee.

Then our guest speaker rose to address us – none other than a man they call ‘the Governor’ of Montego Bay, Lloyd B. Smith, publisher and editor of the 39-year-old Western Mirror, former Member of Parliament and former President of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce.

He described the societal challenges that have led to the erosion of law and order in our country. “We are living in challenging times,” he warned. “There is an attitudinal change in Jamaica towards the elderly which we must address.” He bemoaned the lack of respect and rampant ageism, calling for an awareness campaign to be led by CCRP and Professor Denise Eldemire Shearer’s Mona Ageing & Wellness Centre.

The Gleaner's Janet Silvera, founder of Sarah's Children
lent her support

He recalled learning at his grandmother’s knee and noted the importance of family time to promote respect among generations. He said technology was threatening this, as he recently observed a family of five sitting in a restaurant together but glued to their respective mobile devices. “There was no conversation taking place,” he said. “It seems the art of conversation is dead.”

“We have to play a serious role in mentoring, because too many do not honour their mothers and their fathers,” he declared. Mr Smith called on us to be conscious of the vulnerability of elders and to help to protect them from dishonest folks.  He said we should advise returning residents to be careful about building houses that were too large for them to manage, and ostentatious living which may attract the wrong types.

Lloyd b had the audience riveted with his wit and wisdom

He noted the job placements being done by CCRP and said it was important that Jamaica continued to benefit from the experience and dedication of retired persons who still had much to offer.

Mr Smith condemned those unregistered nursing homes where gross neglect of their residents has been reported.  He said it would be therapeutic for the elderly to interact with children and encouraged the introduction of such programmes. He called for greater compassion for persons with senility or Alzheimer’s disease, noting that we must end the superstition around such conditions and work to make our elderly feel comfortable and loved.

Lloyd B. Smith urged his audience to do proper estate planning as this could prevent the rifts that develop in families over ‘dead lef’.  He also recommended the preparation of a ‘living will’, recording one’s wishes regarding medical treatment in circumstances of serious illnesses.

Journalist and community activist Janet Silvera was lauded at the event for honouring her mother Sarah Darling-Findlay by setting up a Foundation in her name – Sarah’s Children, to support the care and protection of children.  Dr Norma Taylor remarked that this was the kind of recognition that we should bee seeking to give to our dedicated elders.