Dave Douglas’ family appeals for help
The children of pioneering radio personality Davidson ‘Dave’ Douglas are appealing to the general public for monetary assistance to cover their father’s medical bills. Douglas, who was known as the “Third World Man” at the height of his radio career, has suffered multiple strokes and remains in critical condition.
In a Facebook post, one of Douglas’ daughters wrote that the family have found themselves in “the most heartbreaking position.”
“Our dad, Dave Douglas, has suffered multiple strokes. Luckily, he is still here though in critical condition. Currently, he requires 24 hour care as he is unable to effectively communicate or walk. This medical care is not covered by NHI and costs beyond our means,” the Facebook post said.
A GoFundMe account has been launched to raise some $14,000 for Douglas’ medical bills.
Supporters and well-wishers have already contributed more than $2,000 of that amount. The information on the GoFundMe page says Douglas has been very depressed because of his critical state and inability to care for himself. The family said they are appealing for help from the business community and general public to assist their father who was once a well-known public figure in the community.
“We are reaching out to businesses and people in the BVI and beyond in the hope of securing financial assistance to help cover these costs. Our father’s music and voice have touched so many lives, and it would be a great honour if his community could come together to support him in his time of need. If you have any questions or would like to discuss the donation in more detail, please do not hesitate to reach out to us — Nadia, Enya, Nia & Andrea Douglas,” Douglas’ children wrote on the GoFundMe page.
The Third World Man’s career began at ZBVI Radio at age 15 where he worked part-time while attending the Virgin Islands Secondary School. He was the host of the first real Reggae Radio show in 1969 in the Eastern Caribbean.
As such, he introduced many to Reggae artists like Ken Lazarus, Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, and Toots and Maytals.
As a producer, Third World Man has worked with artists such as: Banki Bank, King Beau Beau, Lashing Dogs, Quito Rymer and more recently Beego.
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deeply sorry to hear that.
OUR SENIOR CITIZENS SHOULDN’T HAVE TO BE PAYING MEDICAL BILLS…SOME THING IS WRONG WITH THE SYSTEM
I hope the family will be able to meet their fundraising goal to help defer his medical bills. Wishing him all the best going forward. I will chip in as well; hope others do as well.
As for strokes, as someone in the know, one of the main causes is uncontrolled hypertension. Most people as they age will develop some form of high blood pressure.
If you or someone you know has hypertension that is untreated, please see your doctor and get treated.
If you are being treated, it’s important to remain compliant with taking your meds.
Bottom line: Get your blood pressure checked. Should you have it, follow your doctors advise relative to treatment. Take care of yourself.
All the government funds for old people was taken away from the politicians and placed in the hands of social development now
Come on VIP government help out the man!
Sorry, all the money was spent on barges and “ farmers and fishermen “ related to the government.
Thought that was the reason Ronnie used for implementing NHI. To assist in such cases. Know it was a scam just another form if tax to milk already poor people.
You’re so right with that.. just a nother form to tax people paycheck. Imagine you work 25 yr for government. Retired on a small pension. But at the same time the statutory body you work for ensure you have an oversea insurance to cover your coverage. NHI still want you to pay them and there’s some coverage they don’t cover. And NHI have the nerves to cancel my card just because am 3 months behind. So what should I do ? Bit the bullet and continue to pay my overseas insurance with the little that left out my monthly retirement. What a waste of people money when the need it most
The type of pressure that was put on this brother beginning with the hurricanes where he lost his home is unbelievable. Everywhere he turned for assistance
he was denied. What was most shocking is Social Security claiming to have no record of payments for his house of assembly work. This was the final blow that caused him to give up hope. BVI LOVE… Christianity at its best….the great god of the universe bullshit.
You’re so right on point. And now even the NHI can’t even get their bills paid to the local providers. Políticians done listens to the people. I for one did not mind if they took out money from my paycheck to fund NHI, but give me the option to keep my private insurance as well. And what they do tell us to give them a chance to fix it..
Us as citizens, govt this a perfect example of how the people suffer because we can’t get the proper care and hardly make money to up keep these type of issues in life. Hang us out to dry, type of mentality. Fix the system, create a fund to help people in need, such as this. The Government can take out social security for stimulus but what about these issues?
I don’t think this is for health care, medications, etc., this is for home care. No family can provide 24 hour care. This requires people skilled in moving the sick person, cleaning them, dressing them, administering their medications, keeping their surroundings clean, etc. That requires a day person and an additional night person. Then legally you have to give them time off so an additional 2 people for at least 2 days. Then you have to pay their social security, taxes and NHI. Or if they come from a private agency, that’s even more expensive but you don’t have to do the paperwork that comes with employing people on your own. Either way, massively expensive. Without help the outcome will be to stress the family and end the sick persons life. If government has programs for this kind of need it would be through Social Development.
Put him in the home for the elderly until you all get things sorted out…I know it will come off kinda harsh but that the best solution right about now…It may well be the best thing for him at this time, trust me!
Can you please explain why Senior Citizen’s shouldn’t have to pay medical bills?
There is no space in the Adina Donovan Home
Dave is a cultural icon and VI treasure.
We don’t serve our people.
also, @Care-
This is something insurance covers, so NHI- but it would be nice if ANY government office stepped in with assistance.
Surely the admin or ministries have some kind of discretionary fund for this kind of situation?
There isn’t any space there.
Alas. Maybe that money was taken away from the politicians because the senior and sick saw very little of it?
This appears to be an urgent need to help a man who has devoted most of his life to broadcasting about our islands – he deserves help now that he is in dire need. Government, please put your money where your mouth is – it’s not what you say, but what you DO.
Sorry to hear about Dave’s situation. It can happen to anyone of us. I do hope that he will get the necessary assistance real soon.
1. I don’t know if the Home for the Elderlies is really the best for him right now.
2. There are some Facilities in the USA that refuse to take the BVI NHI Cards.
3. Many people lost their substantive Health Insurance because NHI was mandatory and they couldn’t afford both.
4. The change in removing the Assistance grant from the Politicians was the right thing to do because some Politicians were using the funds to uplift themselves and giving it to some people based on friendship and not to those in need.
5. If there was more transparency in Government, the people would not have to suffer. There is so much injustice on all level that its going to take our heavenly Father to step in.
6. One thing for sure. GOD DON’T BLESS MESS!!!
NEWSFLASH!!!!!!
Going to church, sharing social media posts about God while not living Christlike DOES NOT make one a Christian.
I don’t know who the great “god” of the universe is because God is capitalized and spewing swear words trying to imply God’s name in the same sentence is blasphemy.
Perhaps a pressure boiled and blended flax seed drink, with milk, can help him.
Complete government incompetence over the years, now our elderly in need are suffering.
Wake up from this god delusion that is the enslavement that results in our present reality. We will always be looked upon as fools until we come up out of this spell. It is the real crab in the barrel syndrome. Talk Talk Talk just bullshit talk.
What system?
The system is you don’t have money you die.
you are so right ✅️ but you forgot to mention ” THEIR GREEDY POCKETS ” and if I may add (JAWS) ain’t got nothing on these pretenders
This is sad but it’s reality sickness comes and families are not prepared my advice to anyone that’s reading this go and get a life insurance that gives you the options to apply for a portion of your insured about in the event of critical illness that render you medical and home care until you are ready to depart this life and the remainder of the insured amount goes to the benefiarcy of the policy it’s only fair if you pay for insurance to get a policy that will benefit you until death .
sorry to hear this. please get this on other news sites, the front page of the papers. Daughters, please start to do fundraisers. a turnaround is possible.
Social Development only offers assistance two days a week but that does not include nights.
The rest is up to the family!
One day every knee will bow and every tongue shall confess that He is Lord.
You do have the option to keep your private insurance. Many people maintain private insurances.
Would you all please stop with this stupid BVILOVE Nonsense? It is so silly and annoying. What the hell is BVILOVE? If you mean selfishness and trying to keep each other down, maybe that I can understand. But otherwise, it’s one of the dumbest slogans/phrases I’ve ever heard.