Bedridden at her Maloney home, veteran calypsonian/prolific songwriter Maureen Walcott (Lady Irie), 62, lay mourning her late husband/calypsonian John Howell Walcott, fondly known as Jus Come.
The send-off in which Walcott was eulogised as a man deeply devoted to God took place at St Francis Spiritual Baptist Church, Huggins Street, Tacarigua, on April 12.
Propped against her pillows, Walcott's repertoire brought a bit of momentary pleasure to Lady Irie.
"Listen, they playing my husband's song. I can't go outside. But I feel a little better. Jus Come was my comfort. I will really miss him," said Lady Irie.
Before a fresh round of grief, Lady Irie had descended into her personal prison. She is desperately hoping to see a doctor to determine the cause of her immobility. Her grief at losing Walcott is even more intense since he nursed her daily.
"It's been two years since I got off this bed. I cannot walk. I could only roll. It's been two years since I had a bath. I have to clean sponge myself. I can't go outside and see the carpark or my neighbours like Miss Judy," added Lady Irie.
But she is getting impatient she has not yet seen a doctor.
"It's been two years since I saw a doctor. I really need to see a doctor who could do some tests and tell me what is wrong with me. I need to know what caused me to stop walking. I am baffled. I need to see a doctor. I need help. I don't know if Dr Glenn Ramadharsingh (Minister of the People and Social Development) would see me. I want to get a house on the ground floor," she said.
Lady Irie explained the fateful day was July 10, 2011, when she sought medical attention at Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope. She refrained from casting blame for her depressing condition at medical personnel there.
"I don't know what happened. All I know is after taking the operation they brought me home in an ambulance. I took in with a belly pain. They rushed me to Mt Hope. By the time I reached the hospital I had blanked out. To be truthful, when I woke up I was in a ward."
Asked if she earnestly enquired about her medical condition, Lady Irie added, "I did. But they never told me anything. They said one doctor would talk to me. I never got any news. They said the other doctor...but no one was telling me anything.
"My guts poked out. The needle from drips went in my left foot. It damaged my foot. My nails got hardened and overgrown."
'Calypso is great'
Born in Tobago, Lady Irie went on to win the Roxborough crown in '92 with More Times and Dulahin. She had to face the calumny of her friends and family but eventually they realised she was a great entertainer.
She co-wrote Cut The Bush with Walcott. Cut The Bush, which became a mega hit, was sung by New York-based Dr Lennox Picou. They also wrote Words for Timothy Watkins and Indian Singer, Children of the Master, Crapaud Competition and Soca Boat.
"Calypso is great. It is about message," said Lady Irie.
"I sang at Kitchener Revue and Jus Come sang at Sparrow's Young Brigade. But if I get back on my feet, I will be preaching and teaching. I am an ordained Spiritual Baptist bishop."
Masimba:We've been helping for the past ten years
Asked about Tuco's intervention, president Lutalo Masimba said, "We have been assisting Lady Irie for the past ten years. And the HDC has been working feverishly on trying to get a ground floor. We have always been there for them.
"She never got the medical report and if we have to help in that way, she has to get it. We can't go and ask for Irie's medical report. If she needs to see a doctor she has never told our welfare officer (Calypso Kerr) that."
On Wednesday, Lady Irie said she would have to get the report but her daughter was working and is unable to do so.
Lady Irie can be reached at 381-1300.
