THE LACK of proper facilities for the elderly and disabled is becoming a concern for Governor General Sir Elliott Belgrave.
But as the Queen’s representative make his way around visiting centenarians and bringing them glad tidings from the Queen of England he is finding it difficult to access some of the properties.
“It can be difficult when I encounter centres without proper facilities or are difficult to access for an old man like me,” said the 83-year-old yesterday as he made one of his several such visits for the year.
Sir Elliott was speaking during a visit to centenarian Beulah Mackie yesterday in Rendezvous Terrace, Christ Church, where he remarked about the ease of access of the premises.
He said he liked to talk with the centenarians and enjoyed when they were lucid and aware of their surroundings.
“I like to talk to people and to hear what they have to say, so it can be difficult when I can’t communicate with them,” he said.
His contact is not however limited to the elderly, the Governor General explained.
“I like people – both young and old – but people think the only thing I do is visit centenarians but I also visit schools and invite children to Government House.
“I associate with both the young and the old but I know the old are the foundation and we have to build on their shoulders,” he said.
A former prosecutor and judge, Sir Elliott acted as Governor General on a number of occasions since 2008 before taking on the position full time from November 2, 2011, following the retirement of former Governor General Sir Clifford Husbands.
He was awarded the Companion of Honour of Barbados in 1993 and the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George in 2012 .
(CA)
