LIFE these days for Patrick Fox has taken an unlikely turn from the norm to which he is accustomed, but he remains optimistic that he will be able to regain the use of his legs.

Fox is a resident of James Avenue, Perth Village, Branch Road, Mahaicony and he is one of the locals the team met during a walkabout in the community.

The 70-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that three months ago, it was a normal day for him at work as a carpenter, then he began experiencing some pains in the neck, which travelled to his back and he realised he could no longer walk.

Fox related that it happened quite suddenly and he was not ill as such. He had to seek immediate medical attention to be diagnosed.

The father of two stated that he was bedridden until he acquired a wheelchair to move around and he has been doing self-therapy to move his legs and he is of the view that he will be able to walk again in time.

He explained that he has moved from having no movement in his legs to actual action, and it is a good sign and he is taking things one day at a time given his condition.

“I went from being able-bodied to not walking and it happened fast, so I could not explain what happened to me, but I can feel it. I will walk again,” he said.

Fox is originally from Governors Light, Mahaicony Creek, and his wife is from Antigua and they married and settled in Perth Village after he acquired a plot of land and constructed his house.

During this time, being at home, Fox said he is reflecting on his life and he is very grateful that his wife is by his side every step of the way.

He has built a wind turbine in addition to the solar he has for his house for power and he is using paddy shells mixed with dirt for moulding the many plants in his yard.

Fox is a farmer, too, but has been unable to do any form of gardening for the past three months but will resume this activity when he is able.

He added that life has been good and he has been residing in Perth Village for more than 25 years.

Fox noted that he has good neighbours and the people of the community will assist in any way possible, once there is a need and he is happy about their simple but good way of life.

Paula Haley, a stay-at-home mother
The team also met Paula Haley, a resident of Middle Street, Perth Village and she is an indoor kind of a person who goes out only when it is absolutely necessary, because of chronic arthritis in the hips, shoulder and knees.

The 57-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that years ago she used to work filling rice and paddy bags, but these days, she is unable to do any hard labour due to severe body pains.

Haley added that life in Chester Drive, Perth Village, is good and she has been living there for 28 years and the people of that community are good folk.

The mother of three related that she was working at Burma Road with a contractor filling paddy bags, a manual job.

She also worked at a dryer (rice mill) in the village for many years until five years ago when she was overwhelmed by pain and had to quit the job.

Haley had left the village for a while and was living in Linden, but returned after being homesick and loves the peace and tranquillity of Perth Village.

She is the grandmother of six and one of her grandsons, Marcus Burke, was at her home spending a few days with her.

Haley reported that if she has to go out her son-in-law would come and take her wherever she needs to go and to do her shopping in central Mahaicony and she is grateful about that.

“In this village you really don’t have to worry about nothing, because the people here are really good and they would assist in any way needed and we look out for each other and it is a good place to live,” she said.