11-y-o Old Harbour girl with shoulder dystocia seeks life-changing surgery

When Korrell Jackson gave birth to her baby girl 11 years ago at the Spanish Town Hospital, she had never even heard of shoulder dystocia. What began as a joyful moment quickly turned into a lifetime of challenges when her daughter, Cathalia Hayles, was diagnosed with the condition shortly after birth. 

Right shoulder dystocia occurs when a baby’s shoulder gets stuck during delivery, potentially damaging nerves and leading to limited arm function. In Hayles’ case, the damage has caused severe weakness and restricted movement in her dominant arm.

Now a grade four student at Old Harbour Primary School, Hayles is facing growing struggles as the condition increasingly limits her independence. Her family and school are rallying together in a bid to secure life-changing surgery that will give her the chance at a future without limitations. 

“She’s unable to use her hand, her fingers can’t move, she is affected from shoulder down. Sometimes she ask ‘Mommy when will my hand be fixed?’ and I don’t know how to answer that, I have to just try and encourage her,” said her heartbroken mother, who has three other children. “Cathalia sometime feel discomfort she describes as ‘tingling’ in the arm but the doctors advice that it’s nothing to worry about as those feelings are just the nerves in the arm getting stronger.”

Jackson told Old Harbour News that her daughter began therapy shortly after birth but stopped at age two after frustration grew due to limited progress. Now a brilliant student with an ‘A’ average, Hayles continues to receive care at the Bustamante Hospital for Children. Over the years, the frequency of her visits has gradually decreased — from once a month in early childhood to just once a year currently.

Old Harbour News attempted to speak with Hayles’ physicians but was informed that, as a patient of the hospital’s orthopedic clinic, she is seen by different doctors at each visit rather than a single assigned specialist.

Despite the challenges she has faced, Hayles remains remarkably resilient. She is not only aware of how others perceive her condition, but she also has her own thoughts and feelings about it.

“Sometimes she make it be a bother, when we are on the road, she let me hold the hand so no one will realize. I have to keep telling to her to stop and be proud and try to make herself comfortable. She keeps hiding her fingers and if I don’t pay them mind, between them soar or her palm has some fine bumps. I have to keep oiling them,” said Jackson.

There is currently no scheduled date for surgery, but the family is actively working to find the appropriate facility to perform the procedure. The cost for surgery at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Canada she tells me was estimated at J$1.7 million. Since then, the family has also expressed interest in pursuing the operation at Shriners Hospitals for Children in the United States.

“Shriners have emailed us in July and we have submitted all the documents they ask for, her MRI, x-ray and her medical records that I paid for. This is why we are preparing ourselves so when they give us the latest feedback we can be able to do it [the surgery],” shared Jackson. 

While living with the condition throughout the years, Cathalia is fortunate to have persons who care for her and have her best interest at heart. One of these persons is her brother, Jamoy Hayles.

“In my sister’s earlier years she was completely unable to use her arm so that made her miss out on creeping as a baby. She would normally sit and pull herself on the ground. To witness her situation first-hand made my heart ache, but it also drew me closer to God. Because I knew our family wasn’t in the position to get surgery done so we prayed relentlessly,” he said, while noting he ensures his sister is well taken care of. 

“Over time she adapted and started using her arm to mainly balance or support objects she would come in contact with.  I always encourage her to take her education serious for while she’s physically impaired, God blessed her with a brain that’s impeccable.”

Like her brother, the Old Harbour Primary staff has been working hard to provide the support she needs. 

“Cathalia struggles with regular things like opening sausage or opening her juice box or bottle, I would have to render some assistance. She sometime gets help from classmates as well. We want her to get surgery. Recently we have put together a flyer where we advertise it in our individual class group asking parents to donate. It’s like a ‘GoFundMe’ but it’s attached to the schools account. For the second stage, I spoke with the principal about organizing a fundraiser for her,” informed her class teacher, Nattalee Warren.

Additionally, her mother is planning to host a cookout for her on July 25, 2025, but is awaiting confirmation from a venue at Port Esquivel.

If you would like to support Cathalia Hayles on her journey toward a brighter, more independent future, your help is deeply appreciated. Donations can be made to her brother Jamoy Hayles through the following bank accounts: National Commercial Bank (Old Harbour branch) savings account with account number 874 369 713, or Scotiabank (Spanish Town branch) savings account with account number 870 392.

Additionally, donations are also being accepted through Old Harbour Primary School’s Scotiabank (May Pen branch) chequing account with account number 10019712. The school board kindly asks that once a donation is made to their account, a WhatsApp confirmation be sent to 876 321 7644 to assist with tracking and proper

acknowledgment.

For more information or to offer direct assistance, please contact Hayles family at 876 338 5510 or 876 460 2337. With your help, she can receive the surgery she needs to continue excelling both academically and personally, free from the limitations of her condition.