Heather Robinson Reprinted from yesterday's edition which had the wrong byline.
There is no doubt in my mind that identifying my dead brother's body was one of my worst experiences in life. He was killed in a motor vehicle accident two years ago, and as is required at a post- mortem, a family member had to be present to identify the body before the pathologist could proceed to determine his cause of death. I did not go alone to the St Ann's Bay Hospital. With me were a sister, a nephew and a friend.
Before going to the hospital we visited the accident scene, and saw exactly how he was killed. The road had the marks to show us exactly how hard he tried to avoid the other vehicle, and we sat there and visualised how it all happened. Our next stop was to look at the vehicle that he had been driving. We shook our heads in amazement, and thanked God that he must have been killed instantly.
The arrival of the body
At the hospital we were there when the hearse carrying his body arrived, and removed it and placed him on the table to await the arrival of the doctor. In identifying him, I saw my brother still dressed in his white bush jacket, and thankfully looking as if he was sleeping on the day bed while watching television. It was a very painful experience, and even as I write this I am still in pain. I signed the statement that I gave identifying my brother, and thanked the female police officer and the doctor for their kindness.
I claimed him, he was my big brother and began there and then to make his funeral arrangements, and we all ensured he was buried with dignity and respect.
If you have never had to do this, then pray that you will live the rest of your life without this experience. And by the way, there is no truth to stories that are told that persons who identify bodies at post-mortems have to watch the doctor conduct the post-mortem.
Dealing with death is never easy. Dealing with sudden death is hard. Ask anyone who has had such experiences and they will tell you. Why, therefore, is it necessary for some persons now - during the election campaign - to claim as theirs, dead persons?
Being asked to visit the murder scene of a husband, wife or child or a constituent is unpleasant, to say the least. But what is it that motivates a politician to claim as theirs the bodies of several persons? Why would anyone want to hug up as theirs the dead bodies of these persons? And are we to place any special attention to the number seven? How do we as electors know that they are yours? Why is it that there is only one candidate of the 120 who has been so unlucky, and can the police confirm that these are indeed your bodies?
On Wednesday I was in the LOJ complex in Montego Bay Freeport. While there I saw a store displaying some interesting pieces of furniture. The Design Centre operated by Betty McGann must be commended for manufacturing such beautiful items, especially the rocking chairs. I am sad that my big brother never lived to enjoy such a chair. It is my prayer that we can work during the rest of this campaign to ensure that all who are alive today are alive on election night, and that those who rush to claim the dead will have no more to claim.
Heather Robinson is a life underwriter and former Member of Parliament.
