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Volume No. 1 Issue No. 33 - Wednesday, December 11, 2002
A Small Community Plans Big
by: Catherina Cheryl Allan

In the midst of the bone chilling wintry weather which plagues the Northeastern United States, a warm glimmer of hope shines in New Jersey among the LaPlaine Community - to make a tangible difference in the lives of those who are less fortunate.

The LaPlaine community in New Jersey is one of the most proactive Diaspora communities from Dominica. This is evident in the many successful annual summer picnics that the organizers have hosted. Originally organized to strengthen the communal bonds, which exist in the community, this picnic is now the must attend summer event for Laplainians all over.

From the shores of New Jersey, Texas, Maryland, and as far away as Canada, Laplainians often converge with other visiting Dominicans in colonial Park, Somerset, New Jersey to share nostalgic stories, to meet, greet and to once again feel like they were in the playing field surrounding Mr. Hurtault's home.

Out of this convergence of Laplanians, an opportunity has arisen. It became apparent that this group of people was still very much in love with the village which nurtured them and the villagers whom they had left behind. In response to a plea for assistance, some members of the community have organized a fundraising event to assist two paraplegic villagers.

A fundraising dinner and dance is been planned to raise funds to purchase wheelchairs for Paul Joseph and Victor Athanaze. The dinner will be held at the Cheesequake First Aid Squad, in Matawan, New Jersey on Saturday, December 21st at 7:30 p.m.

Paul Joseph became paraplegic on August 7, 1993 after an accident on his farm left him paralyzed from his chest down. Mr. Joseph explained the circumstances of his unfortunate accident: "I was working on my banana plantation, when I was tying a banana tree, the rope gave way and I fell in an eleven feet trench".

He went on to say that the doctors explained that he sustained a C-6 level spinal injury, which left him with very little use of his arms and paralyzed from his chest down. Up to the time of this unfortunate accident, Mr. Joseph was an active member of the community, a hard working banana farmer, a very loving father, husband and active politician and member of his church. He was the sole provider for his family. Quite naturally, it was very difficult for Mr. Joseph to accept the prognosis of never walking again.

The otherwise very active Mr. Joseph remains confined to his home without being able to move around. Soon after his accident, he received a wheelchair from a church group based in St. Croix. The wheelchair is now damaged and Mr. Joseph laments that without a functional wheelchair he is confined to his bed. Mr. Joseph has eight children, but none of them are financially able to provide a wheelchair for him.

He receives a very meager assistance from government, which is not enough to take care of his basic needs. He is very grateful for the concern and encouragement that he receives and hopes and prays that the generosity of the public will shine through this Christmas season. He hopes to be able to once again experience the fresh air, the birds chirping, the villagers walking in front of his house, or as icing on the cake, to be able to wheel himself to church.

Similarly, Victor Athanaze better known as Vanty fell from a breadfruit tree near his house in LaPlaine in September, 2002. As in the case of Mr. Joseph, 35-year old Vanty in the prime of his life is facing the life-changing reality of paralysis. Vanty had no idea that his search for dinner that day would end up with him paralyzed and hospitalized.

Vanty, a father of two children lived alone. Prior to his accident, he worked as a farmer and a construction worker. He is still in the hospital recovering from his accident. An informed family member who is still recovering from the tragic events experienced by the family bemoans, "Vanty is both frightened and frustrated at his prognosis".

The family is saddened that they recently buried Vanty's older brother Vanderpool in July of this year, and his younger brother Jerry a few years ago and now they feel that their hands and hearts are broken".

Vanty hopes to be discharged from the hospital before Christmas, however the doctors have said that the prognosis for him walking again is discouraging. Without a wheelchair, he has nothing to look forward to but the ceiling and the four walls of his bedroom. While we all hope and pray for a medical miracle, the harsh reality of paralysis stares these two men and their families in the face every waking moment.

Theresa Bruney along with other key organizers report that plans are on the way to host an elegant event to allow Laplanians as well as other visiting Dominicans and friends of Dominica to participate in the event. Mrs. Bruney reports that a small group of the organizers was moved to organize the event based on the concern expressed by many members of the LaPlaine Diaspora.

In response to my questions of why a Christmas dinner, Mrs. Bruney responds, "Christmas has traditionally been a time for giving, sharing and reflection. It is also a time for celebration and coming together and so in keeping with the spirit of the season; it is an opportune time to undertake a project of this nature."

The two villagers were chosen to be the first recipients in a direct response to Mr. Joseph's request for help to source a wheelchair. Mrs. Bruney indicated that this is one of the many benevolent projects on the group's agenda.

This is a shining example of a people committed to making a meaningful difference in their village. It should serve as a benchmark and a positive example to members of other Dominican communities to work together not forgetting where they came from.

Instead members of each community should get together on that level and adopt a project in their village. There is no doubt that this will result in a significant difference in the social and economic well being of our people and our country. If we all do a little, then no one will have to do a lot. Together we do better.

Dominicans living in New Jersey form a close-knit community and that is evident in the reciprocity of participation or support of events hosted by any member. The response from the community has been very encouraging. Laplainians as well as members of other Dominican communities have donated their resources and talents to help the cause.

Should you be unable to attend the fundraising dinner, and interested to assist, you may send donations to Theresa Bruney or Tom Bruney. For more information and tickets please contact Theresa Bruney at (732) 390-9853 or [email protected] or Tom Bruney at (732) 249-7448 or [email protected] in New Jersey or in Maryland, Mrs. Mona Williams at [email protected] or (301)916-1253.

We recently celebrated independence in Dominica, and so in keeping with the theme, let us join our hearts and hands in overcoming the challenges of our beautiful homeland and its people together.




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Volume No. 1 Issue No. 33
Windies Rout Bangladesh
Political Drama Unfolds in Dominica
Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters
A Small Community Plans Big
Dr. Douglas: In New York's Medical Heirachy
Letters to the Editor






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