Siblings struggle to cope with tragic loss during Hurricane Maria

Sapphire Caprice is presented with some candles

Danny Williams and his sister, Sapphire Caprice lost their mother and eight other members of their family during the passage of Hurricane Maria on September 18, 2017. While both are trying to come to grips with the loss, the healing process takes time.

The La Salette Global Association (LAGA), a London based group made up of Pointe Michel residents and chaired by Carlton Philbert, last week unveiled a plaque in honor of the 19 who perished in the community during the storm.

For Caprice, the pain is great, “I am heart broken and still thankful that they have remembered by family. I just don’t know how I have been able to go and receive those candles,” she said in reference to candles which were presented to her in commemoration of those she lost.

“I remember the night of the hurricane I was on the phone with my mom and then it cut off and I tried calling her back but received no answer. So, the discussion that we were having never concluded,” she said wiping a tear from her eye.

“This caused me to panic and wondered if she was okay. So the morning after the hurricane when my bother Danny Williams came and told me that they have not been able to find my mom and all those in the house, I felt I was going to go crazy,” she said sobbing.

Caprice continued, “Nine of them were in the house, my mother, two of my sisters, two nieces, two nephews a brother in law and my little brother.”

She said that although she is trying to come to terms with the loss, she misses her mother, Ann Languedoc.

“My mother not being here to see me is heart breaking and it has not been an easy road for me even with the help of my brother (Danny Williams),” she said.

Her brother, Danny Williams, says he has been on his own, struggling, since Hurricane Maria with no fixed placed of abode.

“Since that day I can no longer do construction. I have suffered head injuries. I was with my mom and Jerry Casmir who struggled [and] got hit and had to be flown to [the] Dominican Republic for medical attention…It was a horror and continues in that way for me,” Williams said.

“I have been getting promises upon promises. For me now, is God and me and to add injury to it, my child mother has taken me to court for child maintenance and I have no means of paying. I have lost all plus my family. I need help and answers,” he said.

Danny Williams (centre) speaks to journalists

Danny not only lost his house but the farm which he owned before the hurricane, his rabbits and vegetables, all disappeared all became casualties of Maria.

“Now I am empty, it’s like now I am a beggar…I miss my mom. She was my right hand, my all, she was always there for me, no matter what. I have a daughter but can’t see her as I want because of circumstances,” he lamented.

“I will never ever come back to where I was before Maria. Every day, I miss my mom; you might just see me walking the streets like a mad man…it’s devastating. I just wish that the government would keep its promise and help me as they said,” Williams stated.

Meantime, parliamentary representative for the area, Denise Charles said she understands the plight and struggles of Williams and will do all to assist.

“I understand his struggles. I feel for him. It’s not easy but we are doing all we can to assist him,” she said.

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15 Comments

  1. carlty
    March 14, 2019

    Oy vey, Maria didn’t only bring Dominica down to its knees to a financial and economic struggle. We were broken both emotionally and mentally and I bet there are many more others I know who are broken. People have been hurting since Erika to be quite frank. People, we are our neighbours’ keepers in these times. Now is not the time to be discourteous and uncivil. Let us help each other when and where it is needed. I pray for all of Dominica, for everyone in situations such as these and for everyone in this specific situation that they can come on some common grounds that is beneficial to all.

  2. jamie
    March 14, 2019

    Denise if you spend more time listening will be better,but spending all the time @ the hair salon does not count.wasted government you all are.

  3. Badbaje
    March 14, 2019

    “I just wish that the government would keep its promise and help me as they said,” Williams stated.
    Meantime, parliamentary representative for the area, Denise Charles said she understands the plight and struggles of Williams and will do all to assist.

    We see MsRepresentative Denise Charles is doing her and the government’s best to help in this situation,, and at what rate she is doing this “best.” Give her thanks and show your appreciation on election day.
    After 2 years, we see what has been done. And according to Williams, “I just wish that the government would keep its promise and help me as they said,”
    People have to start their own “system of support”, because those like the one represented by Ms Charles are not working.

  4. Mayshanstay!
    March 14, 2019

    Who is that woman who took the man to court for child support?

  5. Amarossa
    March 13, 2019

    My heart bleeds for them. Even besides the plaque and the “promises” from the Parl Rep, these siblings should be getting psychiatric counseling free from the State.

    The guy in particular sounds like he is on the edge.

    • Peace
      March 14, 2019

      My thought exactly. That’s PTSD. He and so many others needs counseling and other mental health support. Assistance to rebuild is great but know from experience that people carried just hearing about a Tropical wave last hurricane season. Mental health, mental health, mental health!
      And further more, when are we going to stop only praying for people and actually help them? Doh get me started on this I understand what you are going through nonsense comment. You don’t know?! What you know?!

  6. Ibo France
    March 13, 2019

    The MP is but worthless. Danny, his sister and others in similar situations should have been priority. The suffering people do not want any more promises and platitudes, they want commitments and deeds instead. This is concrete evidence that the Skerrit-led junta is uncaring. They should see the people as human beings and not as votes . Words can’t accurately convey my disdain for this current regime’s heartlessness. The ministers are delinquent in delivering for the poor and suffering woman and man. The ruling MPs hardly walk through their constituencies, especially the back alleys, to get a feel and a greater appreciation of the living conditions of their constituents. Enough is enough, never again. We are nineteen (19) years wiser now.

  7. Dee
    March 13, 2019

    Wow young man be of good courage. Trust in God he will see you through because when you are down to nothing God is up to something. Just ride out the storm.

  8. Badbaje
    March 13, 2019

    Good evening.
    The government is obviously not helping, if they are still trying their best after 2 years.
    How about the local people. He had a farm, can the people get together and help him get his farm back in order. Can some people help clear the farm area, prepare the land for planting, donate some seeds, seedlings,help with some tilling, weeding, etc.
    Can he get some healthcare assistance from the hospital, local clinic, some medication, etc.
    Can he get some assistance from a family lawyer regarding his seeing his daughter, and assistance with the maintenance.
    I am willing to put my money where my mouth is. I am willing to donate a little money, maybe make a few calls to people and ask them to help. Let is try to help him instead of talking about this. Reach me by email.

  9. BEB
    March 13, 2019

    That woman {child’s mum} is a very wicked woman, for a man at this state to be taken to court for child’s maintenance, why don’t she get off her high horse and find work to take care of her child and herself? She has to be a UWP supporter, as they are heartless

  10. Me
    March 13, 2019

    Actions speak louder than words Denise.

  11. max
    March 13, 2019

    All to assist…only now Parl Rep…

  12. Frank N Stein
    March 13, 2019

    So Denise charles only now know that Danny needs help? He had head injuries who is checking on it so a tumor does not develop? What if it is bleeding slowly? What about his child he cant support now and the court case which can affect him further mentally? is this the time to take such a man to court? This guy is super strong! All the money Denise have running baccanal she still has not done something for the guy after two years? Dominicans are you seeing why these people need to go? He does not need a hand out to be back begging in two days. He needs medical care and to get back to providing for himself and his child. Are we going to wait until he loses his mind or do something stupid?

    • Man bites dogs
      March 14, 2019

      Everything is politics politics just typical off them workers clowns taking up a man unfortunate bad luck after hurricane Maria like most of us Dominicans just for political gains. Instead of thinking how we can help each other, having said that like Linton and his loonys helping isn’t a part of it only destruction ruin emotionally or spiritually.

      • Ibo France
        March 14, 2019

        The government has a solemn obligation, to create a safety net for people, especially, who not by their own deliberate actions , fall on hard times. Dominica has the largest number of government ministers per capita in the Caribbean. Their salaries, combined with the perks and freeness they receive monthly in comparisons to a public servant at the bottom rung of the ladder is scandalously enormous. By the way, politics affects every aspect of life in Dominica- jobs, wages, health, environment, infrastructure, breakfast, lunch, dinner, everything. Get yourself educated, it’s full time.

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