Jamaicans urged not to look down on less fortunate

Life can change in an instant, no matter how wealthy or powerful you are, and Jamaicans must never look down on the less fortunate.

That blunt reminder came from Naudia Crosskill, chief executive officer of the St James Municipal Corporation, as she addressed the Janet Richards Christmas Treat for children and their caregivers at the Mustard Seed Foundation in Moore Park, St James, over the weekend.

"Big up Janet Richards. Janet has a big heart, and she is always looking out for the less fortunate," Crosskill told the gathering. "We will always have the less fortunate among us, and we don't know where we ourselves might end up."

Pointing to recent headlines involving a billionaire businessman who is reportedly having financial difficulties, drove home her message that money offers no guarantees.

"The point I'm making is that it doesn't matter how rich we are. We might be rich today, but tomorrow we could be at the St James Infirmary. We just don't know."

Crosskill also tackled the stigma surrounding disability, saying too many families still hide children or relatives with special needs.

"Many times, when persons have children with disabilities, they hide them, and some even leave them in the hospital," she said. "But there are strong people who keep their children and stand by them."

She urged families to reject shame and silence.

"When we start talking about disability, we realise that many people around us are facing the same situation," Crosskill said. "So, there is no need to be ashamed of whatever situation we find ourselves in."

She encouraged members of the gathering that "You get more blessings from giving than from receiving".

"And when you give from a willing heart, God multiplies you with much more," she said.

The Christmas treat brought cheer to children living with disabilities while delivering a sobering reminder that compassion, not wealth, is what truly defines a society.