tidings
Paula Lindo
In 2004, Tricia St John was assaulted and lost her left forearm and two fingers on her right hand as a result of a domestic violence attack. On October 30, she will host a fashion show and tea to raise funds for the purchase of a prosthetic arm.
St John has been fundraising for a trans-radial elbow prosthesis since 2019, when it received a quote for US$93,109.08 from New Life Brace & Limb operated by Trinidad and Tobago Orthotics & Prosthetics LLC Ltd. Speaking to Newsday on Friday, St John said she was expecting a new quote.
“I’m waiting for them to contact their office in Texas. I have to fly there to equip it, which would be an additional cost even if I could find the cost of the wing. I got to other countries but they don’t ship to Trinidad so that means I would have to go to where they are. The one I want is fully functional and computerized, but I saw a young guy on social media who had one that had sensors inside that connected to his nerves and picked up whatever action he was trying to do. I tried to contact him but I haven’t received a reply yet. I’m trying to see if I can get in touch with the person he got his from.”
St John said she hoped at least 80 people would come to the show, although the proceeds would be just a drop in the bucket of the total cost. She had raised $30,000 from previous fundraisers, but fundraising efforts had to be halted due to Covid19. She said she is resuming her efforts with this event.
“I have three local designers: Denise Williams from Ste Madeleine, Joanne Ogarro from Central, and the swimwear person is Sarah Samlalsingh who comes from the east. The first two provide cultural clothing for the models and Sarah crochets swimwear.”
St John said she had contacted several corporate entities, including Digicel, Republic Bank, Maritime Financial and internet company Airlink, but the response had so far not been positive.
She said that before Covid19, she would get invitations to share her story as a motivational tool at conferences, events, churches and other spaces, but that wasn’t happening as much now.
Saint John is the author of three books: Before Me, After Me, Now Me; Moving forward; and Chains Falling, a collection of poems. She is in the process of rewriting the first book and working on the fourth.
She said that over the years it has been very challenging to function with a missing limb and fingers on the other arm, “especially since I had to raise my children and basically do things that were the norm before I was forcibly amputated.
“I want the public to know that I need the support because there is no way I can earn this money on my own. What happened to me is due to a lack of knowledge and experience on my part, because I was very young, but apart from that I have no fault. I can’t speak for everyone, but society has a way of making me feel like I’m being blamed for something that isn’t my fault. People judge you, employers don’t hire you because they don’t think you’re up to it, and it really doesn’t leave a good taste in your mouth.”
Anyone interested in donating to St. John can call (1-868) 342-4627 or (1-868) 720-4874, email [email protected] or make a deposit in Tricia St. John’s name. John in Republic Bank Limited Check Act no. 290 023 389 501.
The event, the third annual Motivation In Motion Fashion Show and Tea Party will be held at the Mon Repos Community Center, Tyler Smith Street in San Fernando, Trinidad from 3-6pm.
