Garfield needs new legs

Born disabled because of a banned drug that his pregnant mother took, Garfield Dryden has been wearing prosthetic legs for the last 16 years. He has now outgrown those legs, however, and needs the public's help to get a new pair.

Dryden told THE STAR that he was born with legs, but they were amputated because of his disorder. He explained that the drug, Thalidomide was banned in the 1960s, but somehow his mother managed to get access to it in the '70s when he was born. He said use of the drug was proven to affect the limbs and face. He could provide THE STAR with no more information, however, as he never got the chance to meet his mother - he was abandoned at the hospital.

Searching for mom

He told THE STAR: "I grew up in two places of safety. I don't know my father either, but I heard he died. I also tried searching for my mom, but to no avail."

Dryden has outgrown the legs that he has been wearing and needs to be fitted with a new pair as soon as possible. He told THE STAR that he suffers severe pain in his legs if he walks too much or stands for too long. The cost for a new pair of legs, as outlined by a letter from the Jackson Memorial Hospital in Florida, is US$7,223. He explained that he has been seeking sponsorship for airfare and has already received some help from corporate entities like the Jamaica Money Market Brokers (JMMB), the National Commercial Bank, among others. He, however, still needs $250,000 to cover the costs.

Although he was abandoned and raised by strangers, Dryden has achieved a lot. He passed eight CXC subjects and is now a final year part-time student at the University of the West Indies, majoring in management studies. He plans to do a second degree in business law and told THE STAR that he hopes to work in the financial sector.

Anyone interested in helping Dryden may contact him at 831- 4668 or make deposits to JMMB account, 124-8588.

Dryden is also interested in searching for his mother, Una Harris. She is originally from Portland, and gave birth to him on November 23, 1973. Although she abandoned him, he told THE STAR that he still wants to meet her and gives her credit for leaving him somewhere safe and not on the streets.

Although she abandoned him, he told THE STAR that he still wants to meet her and gives her credit for leaving him somewhere safe and not on the streets.