Caymanian stranded in Jamaica trying to get home amid COVID-19 pandemic

(CMR) A Caymanian, 50-year-old Ena Whyte, who is stuck in Jamaica was featured on TVJ News on Friday after expressing to the local media there she wishes to return home with the assistance of the Cayman Islands Government.

Whyte shared that she has depleted her pension funds and has now fallen on tough financial times and wishes to return to the Cayman Islands. Apparently she has reached out to the Cayman Islands Government and is awaiting information on the re-opening of the airports in Jamaica; which happened today.

Sharing that she sustained an injury to her leg as a child which was worsened by a botched medical procedure; Whyte went to Manchester, Jamaica in 2013 with her Jamaican husband to seek additional medical treatment there. She has been diagnosed with lymphedema, swelling in the extremities due to damaged lymph nodes.

She shared a harrowing account of how she has not been mobile for the past four years and has been on the same bed for that time. At 400 lbs; she is unable to lift herself and requires up to five persons who assist her with moving and getting bathed. The interview further explained that she sometimes does not have the funds to pay for people to help and have to “beg them”. At times, she is lacking in basic necessities including food.

At one point, she returned to Cayman and was told that there was no specialist here to assist her and so decided to return to Jamaica in 2014. Apparently, her husband has since moved back to the Cayman Islands leaving her in Jamaica.

It appears that her daughters are also in Jamaica with her and will be featured in Part 2 of this news feature. Whyte relies on her faith to bring her through these difficult times and is hoping to be able to return home soon.

Whyte has been trying to get home since last year but red tape appears to have held up her progress in doing so. There is no indication if she is allowed to travel back to the Cayman Islands who will be able to assist her in the mandatory quarantine hotel facility.

CMR understands that once the pandemic passes and it is safe for her to travel arrangements will be made for her to return home and she is hopeful that recent advances in medical facilities on the island mean treatment will be available to her.