Norman Grindley, Deputy Chief Photographer
Leopold Bartley, a homeless man who lives on a sidewalk along Glenmore Road, near South Camp Road, in Kingston. - NORMAN GRINDLEY/DEPUTY CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
SEVENTY-FIVE-year-old Leopold Bartley is one of the many homeless persons roaming the streets of the Corporate Area struggling to survive.
A Kingstonian, Bartley turned to the streets some four years ago. However, before things took a turn for the worse, he enjoyed a regular life with a thriving career. He was a pro-fessional painter, a career he started in the early '60s.
This once busy man was robbed of his livelihood when he was knocked down by a truck on a sidewalk in a hit-and-run.
He subsequently had a toe amputated and suffers permanent swelling on his foot. Because of this, he had to abandon his career.
What made the situation even worse was the fact that the cousin with whom he was staying died shortly after the accident. This period of tragedy after tragedy marked the beginning of his plunge into abject poverty.
Bartley, who has no children, currently makes his bed on a sidewalk on Glenmore Road near South Camp Road, St. Andrew, where he's been living for the past year.
He says, "I have a harsh reality of living on the streets. It is not easy out here, it is very rough. I get wet then dry same place here. I have been through all the hurricanes last year with no help.
"The Salvation Army some-time give me something to eat, as very rare I see a family member. If I see one, they would talk with me for a short time and sometimes give me something to eat."
Bartley struggles daily to deflect the insults of passers-by, especially children, who, he says, stone him. While dealing with a grim life, he dreams of leaving the streets.
"I would love the Golden Age home or any other home to take me out of the cold and lone-liness. Sometimes I think I don't remember how to laugh or smile," he says, bowing his head.
Bartley also wishes for a pair of crutches that would help him move around more freely and he says he is suffering a serious back pain and would love to see a doctor.
