A mother’s challenges caring for her daughter
NESTLED along the far end of the community of Clonbrooke is the home of the mother-and-daughter duo, Jasmattee and Natasha Rajmangal. The pair lead a simple existence at their Clonbrooke home. Jasmattee says that although there are a few challenges they are still dealing with today, life and reaching thus far has been no walk in the park.
But her biggest adversary was balancing motherhood, work and the numerous hardships that came with life. Natasha is Jasmattee’s daughter who suffers from the mental effects of nerve damage to her brain. Jasmattee has continued to care for her daughter as a single mother after the death of her husband and all that life has thrown at her. But regardless of what happens, she says she will continue striving for her daughter and herself, and she will never give up.
The mother and daughter live at the far end of Clonbrooke and near the neighbouring village of Beehive. Jasmattee was raised in Clonbrooke, while her daughter, 44-year-old Natasha, was born there. The mother explained that the biggest reason Clonbrooke is such a charming place is its people and the way they work together without judgment or strife among themselves.
“I like living here…There is nobody to trouble anything. We do not have many problems here. We have nice people here, and everybody looks out for each other,” Jasmattee stated. Apart from a few infrastructural needs, the community is also prone to flooding. This is perhaps the only real issue the residents face.
Married at 19, Jasmattee is the mother of six children, and Natasha is the second. Natasha, who is in her mid-40s, struggles with mental illness caused by damage caused to the nerves of the brain. “She is a psychiatrist patient but it is not every month I have to take her to the doctor,” Jasmattee shared. Natasha herself remembers seeing changes in her behaviour at just 14 years old.
“She was still going to school,” Jasmattee stated. “I remember working as a guard at Cyril Potter College, so that was a long time ago. She started acting different. She would not sleep.” In the months that followed, Natasha’s symptoms worsened. Her mother explained that she progressively lost more sleep and her behaviour continued to change. At any moment, Natasha is prone to outbursts of anger or any other extreme emotion, her mother explained.
Jasmattee had a few challenges getting Natasha enrolled in a public clinic. She eventually succeeded in getting Natasha the necessary treatment and a definitive diagnosis. “They told me it is her nerves,” Jasmattee stated. However, the intensity of caring for Natasha has taken its toll on Jasmattee. She explained that although loves her daughter, at times the situation becomes too much for her to handle.
Jasmattee is like so many other family members worldwide; tasked with the difficult job of caring for those around them who are struggling with mental and psychological issues. Jasmattee explained that in many cases, she bares the brunt of caring for Natasha, which can sometimes be overwhelming.
“It is only me and she that live here,” Jasmattee stated. Although she has five other children and a large extended family, Natasha and her unpredictable mood swings are solely her responsibility and this, as much as it affects Natasha, has a profound impact on her mother. “Sometimes I want to run,” Jasmattee admitted. But the love she has for her daughter is the number one factor that keeps her going.
She further explained that caring for Natasha for as long as she has, requires a great deal of strength and the utmost faith. “God gives the faith,” Jasmattee said. In talking with the Pepperpot Magazine Jasmattee expressed that talking to someone about the challenges she faces is like a breath of fresh air “When you have nobody to sit and talk to or tell them your feelings or counsel you, sometimes it is hard,” Jasmattee stated.
Jasmattee was suddenly a single mother when her husband died when she was pregnant with her fifth daughter. She believes this was the first thing that sparked Natasha’s psychological changes. “When I came home and I told her that her father had died, she said she did not believe it and that was a shock to her.” Jasmattee stated.
Despite the challenges being the caretaker of Natasha presents, Jasmattee is glad to be there for her daughter in her happy moments. She expressed, “She likes to go to church and she likes to sing.” The light-hearted moments between the two are what Jasmattee appreciates the most. And those are the moments she will continue to fight for.
