Page 2 - The Shores of Jupiter - January '23

Page 2, The Shores
Deadline for the February Lighthouse For The Blind

Issue is Jan. 13

Mail or email to: Of The Palm Beaches
Bill Thompson, 18583 Lake Bend Drive
billthompsonsoj@gmail.com Man Blinded By Glaucoma
Prays For An Independent

The Shores of Jupiter Life For Himself And His Wife
website: Life for DeGraff Jean
has not been the same since
www.theshoresofjupiter.org 2010. While at work for the
Haitian Soccer Federation
one January afternoon,
DeGraff was in the process of gathering uniforms, cleats
and other equipment for the women’s soccer team when
Disclaimer the 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck near Port-au-Prince.
Copy appearing herewith may not be the viewpoint The two-story office building collapsed around him. He A few months turned into three years, as the couple has not
of The Shores Board of Directors or its newsletter editor. called out to Jesus. He wasn’t rescued until the next day, been able to find work. They have nowhere else to go.
Nor should responsibility be assigned for accuracy or when a crew broke through the ceiling and pulled him The couple’s mobility was tested recently when the
validity or articles contributed by residents or other out. Some others in the building didn’t make it. elevator at the apartment complex was out of service for
articles chosen by the publisher or the editor. Having lost his home, he spent weeks sleeping on the four months. If DeGraff wanted to go anywhere with his
street underneath a tree. His wife, who at the time had wife, he had to carry her and her wheelchair down a flight
been visiting family in the United States, didn’t know if of stairs, and back up returning home. “The situation we
Realtime Property Management DeGraff was one of the 220,000 people who had died in are in is difficult for us,” DeGraff said. “We are both sick.
of South Florida LLC the destruction. A month passed before he finally heard We cannot work.”
from her, and he boarded a plane in the Dominican DeGraff has taken several classes at Lighthouse for the
Beth White, RPA, LCAM, President/CEO Republic to join her. Blind of the Palm Beaches, not only to learn how to adjust
bwhite@realtimepm.com • (561) 763-0086 DeGraff, 62, and his wife Guirlene, 59, have been to life without sight, but in hopes of improving his chances
together for almost 40 years. They met at school in a
of getting a job. He is learning Braille, independent
140 Intracoastal Drive, Ste. 403 small oceanside town called Saint-Marc. He trained to living skills, orientation and mobility as well as assistive
Jupiter, FL 33477 be a plumber, and she was a seamstress. Things were technology. He does the grocery shopping, with the help of
normal. Until they weren’t. Palm Tran Connection bus and friendly store employees.
For the past 14 years, Guirlene has been battling an The couple is immensely grateful for the support that
The Shores Of Jupiter Homeowners unexplained illness that has meant countless hospital family, friends and their church have provided through
food, clothing and shelter. But living independently would
visits over the years and today leaves her reliant on a
Association Inc. wheelchair. Her husband is her caretaker, helping her make the couple kontan, happy, DeGraff said, giving
Board Of Directors, Committee shower, getting her to appointments and them both to them one less thing to worry about and bringing a sense
church. She’s become his caretaker, too. of normalcy. He hopes to find somewhere accessible for
Board Of Directors: After the earthquake, DeGraff and Guirlene bounced his wife, some place that would make them feel safe, a
David Lindley, President ................................. 743-5522 around Georgia and Florida, depending on their families place that they could call home – their home.
Art Cummings, Vice President........................ 743-0047 for shelter. DeGraff Jean’s Wish
Bill Thompson, Secretary ............................... 762-1832 At one point, DeGraff wanted to return to Haiti, back DeGraff Jean wants more than anything independence
Barry Parker, Treasurer ............................785-320-1745 to the work and the life he knew, but Guirlene didn’t for himself and his wife. To achieve this, he is seeking
John Hornyak, Director ............................561-512-2237 want him to leave. She reminded him that their home support for housing with one bedroom that is either on the
Sal Greco, Director ..................................561-602-6397 was destroyed, and Haiti was experiencing an outbreak first floor or wheelchair accessible. As DeGraff continues
Brian Martin, Director .................................... 448-6998 of cholera. Although he had work in Haiti, they were just to improve his chances of getting a job, the couple needs
Architectural Control Committee: “surviving,” he said. help covering the basics including utilities, furniture,
Brian Martin, Co-Chair .................................. 448-6998 He eventually was granted Temporary Protected Status, toiletries and other household items like sheets, towels
Sal Greco, Co-Chair .................................561-602-6397 and the money he earned at Joe’s Crab Shack, at Disney and dishware. Additionally, the couple will need help
John Hornyak ...........................................561-512-2237 World, at Walmart were better than back home. covering medication costs. They would welcome help
Compliance Committee: But more hurdles were ahead. In 2014, an eye exam with transportation through Palm Tran Connection tickets.
Art Cummings, Chair ...................................... 743-0047 revealed he had glaucoma, a disease that damages the Finally, DeGraff could use a laptop and smartphone with
Lakes And Parks Committee: optic nerves and if left untreated can lead to blindness. accessibility capability and a phone plan for one year.
David Lindley, Chair ....................................... 743-5522 DeGraff didn’t have insurance and couldn’t keep up with Donate
Landscaping And Irrigation Committee: exams. The sight in his right eye could not be repaired, Open your heart and donate to Lighthouse for the
Emily O’Mahoney, Chair ................................ 747-9048 and seven years after his diagnosis, he had two surgeries Blind of the Palm Beaches. Think of it as a down payment
Crimewatch Committee: in his left eye that failed to make improvements. on someone’s future. Making a monetary donation to
Bill Thompson, Chair ...................................... 762-1832 Now, Guirlene is DeGraff’s eyes, directing him where Lighthouse for the Blind of the Palm Beaches makes
Welcoming Committee: to go, and he is her legs, guiding her in her wheelchair. “It you an exclusive member of a group of supporters who
John Hornyak, Chair ................................561-512-2237 was hard,” DeGraff said in Haitian Creole, but his wife want to back our mission to assist persons with visual
Sylke Lopez always encouraged him with prayer. Their faith keeps impairments to live life to the fullest.
Infrastructure them going. Thank you for considering a donation to Lighthouse
David Lindley, Chair ....................................... 743-5522 Since relocating to the United States more than a decade of the Blind of the Palm Beaches! When you choose to
Communications and Newsletter Editor: ago, DeGraff and his wife have never had a place to call make a financial donation to the Lighthouse, your dollars
Bill Thompson, Chair ...................................... 762-1832 their own. The couple ended up in West Palm Beach in 2019, stay here and work here in our community.
> edwardjones.com | Member SIPC
Events & Social Media Committee: expecting a short stay with Guirlene’s sister and niece in For more information or to donate please visit our
Barry Parker, Co-Chair ............................785-320-1745 their not-even 1,000-square-foot, two-bedroom apartment. website at www.lhpb.org. > edwardjones.com | Member SIPC
Kristi Parker, Co-Chair ...................................................
Francesca Brown > edwardjones.com | Member SIPC
Tracey Lavoll > edwardjones.com | Member SIPC
Sylke Lopez
Dreaming up the
Anais Maristany-Diaz Dreaming up the
Dena Martin
ideal retirement
Webmaster Dreaming up the Dreaming up the
ideal retirement
Kristi Parker ideal retirement ideal retirement
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