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Having lost one leg due to diabetes, Robert Smith, 50, is unable to care for himself and members of his family.

The Mandeville resident, whose mobility has been greatly reduced, is left with no other choice but to reach out for help to survive.

He was diagnosed with type two diabetes in 2007, a condition which he believes is hereditary. He told THE STAR that his life changed drastically in July 2018, when his leg was amputated.

"From me leg cut off is like me nuh have no hope," he said. "Me use to sell likkle scallion and thyme out in Mandeville, raise some goat and do some farming, but me just deh one place now cyah do nuttin."

Despite his inability to move around, Smith says he still has children to fend for. However, he is unable to do so.

He told THE STAR that his children are unable to attend school and in order to get food, he has to beg, or depend on a family member to help now and then.

Way of survival

At times, this way of survival is not reliable. So there are days when they have to go without food and the children have to be absent from school.

"My youngest son is 13 and me cyah take care of him. From September him fi start high school and him nuh go," he said.

Smith explained that him losing his leg is his newest struggle and he is pleading for help.

"I was an active man, moving and do things in my yard, now me deh one place, me life change man," he said. "It rough to go the doctor, right now me have some test to do at the hospital fi $30,000 and me cyah get fi do it. A would want a bathroom on the house for a likkle comfort, and just money to buy some food," he said.

Anyone wishing to assist Smith may contact his niece Timeika Cassanova at (876) 803-2107.