Rayon Robinson, who was blinded in an explosion, says his distress has been compounded by financial problems. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

High inflation and skyrocketing prices have hit the Jamaican population hard in 2008, but few know this better than Rayon Robinson. The burn victim, who was blinded by an acid blast in November 26 last year, struggles to weather the financial storm on wages of $8,600 a month.

"I want something that I can live off for the rest of my life because the state I am in, I won't be able to work (properly) again," explained Robinson, 42.

He said he gets limited support from co-workers and wasn't compensated by the employer for the injuries. However, he hopes he will be successful in securing damages.

Robinson, who resides with his siblings, hopes that one day he will be able to have a house of his own.

Wiping away mucus which seeped from his left eye, Robinson, a Christian, said he dreams that he will be able to recover his sight.

Prospects for employment

Carol Myers, a rural St Catherine woman who lost her hand to a severe burn injury, said her prospects for employment look dim. Myers, who relies solely on her older children for financial assistance, finds it difficult to support her two younger kids.

"Things are not the same because I am not accustomed to depending on others and my younger children are always looking to me for support, but now I am not able to help them," said Myers, teary-eyed.

In the midst of her financial worries, she has to get monthly medical check-ups, as well as get psychiatric treatment.

"It's very difficult for me because I can't be out of my medications and I am getting a limited amount of support," said Myers, whose damaged hand twitches at intervals.

Despite the struggles, Myers hangs on to faith in God and says she hopes compensation can get her life back on track.

Psychological pressure

The parents of two-year-old Oshane Richardsand his four-year-old brother Vincent, who suffered burns to their faces and chests on November 11 this year, said the financial and psychological pressure is beginning to take a toll. The infants were hurt when a coal fire, contaminated with gas, exploded, leaving them with third-degree burns.

Their mother was overcome with emotion and could not compose herself to speak with The Gleaner. The children's father said talking about the incident unearths deep-seated sorrow. Dad, who requested that the family's real names not be published, said that though Vincent had got over the pain, he was concerned about Oshane. When The Gleaner visited the Bustamante Hospital for Children, the two-year-old, a bundle of bandages, looked on blankly as he sat on a chair, generally confined unless moved by his parents or medical personnel.

The parents of five children, who have to travel from Portland to St Andrew to see them, said their minimum-wage jobs frustrate efforts to cover expenses and they have had to restrict hospital visits to once a week.

"I want my children to get better but I can't afford the medication," said the grieving father, who requested that his name not be published. "Mi stress out, because I miss having my youths them round me; them use to play and talk with me sometimes till me tired."

More operations

Oshane will be undergoing further operations but his father was unable to specify the costs.

Not all victims experience employment woes. Cassandra Rigg, 24, suffered extensive burns at age two in Linstead, St Catherine, when attackers set her home ablaze. She now works as a cashier in a supermarket, but has bigger dreams.

Despite losing some time in school when she was very young, she excelled at the secondary level, earning six Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate passes. While she intends to pursue higher education, low wages force her to make health-care costs a priority, she said.

Name changed upon request.

nadisha.hunter@gleanerjm.com