Brother B’s daughter warns critic not to politicize her father’s illness, adding that he remains a warrior and advocate for SMS

The family of former MP Hilson “Brother B” Baptiste is expressing
disgust at a statement made about his recent appearance at a United
Progressive Party rally in support of the St. Mary’s South candidate,
Kelvin “Shugy” Simon.

In the family’s view, the author of the statement sought to demean
Baptiste and score political points by referencing the stroke he
suffered a few months ago.

But “sickness is no respecter of persons and should not be
politicized,” writes Ayana Baptiste, the retired MP’s daughter, in a
public response.

Further, for someone to “suggest that he was coerced to attend last
Sunday’s rally, or that he did so without the consent of his family, is
just ludicrous,” she says.

Ayana says that Baptiste has been following the UPP’s St. Mary’s
South campaign via social media and is extremely engaged and
excited. He “is anxious to get back to what he enjoys most, which is
serving the people,” she reports.

She says the family continues to give God thanks for her father’s
remarkable recovery, thus far, and is also grateful for those who
have visited him or sent prayers and good wishes.
 
Meanwhile, she assures supporters that, since Baptiste was
discharged from the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre on August 28, he
has been supervised by a competent team of healthcare
practitioners and is undergoing physical and speech therapy.
 
Ayana also confirms that Baptiste’s brain remains sharp and he has
not lost his sense of humour or his sense of humility. She declares
that her father “feels great, all things considered, and believes that
he is still here for a reason.”

Ayana notes that her father treats his recovery as an adventure and
encourages anyone who has ever been knocked down to get back
up.

She says the former MP considers it a gift to still be in the land of the
living and is grateful for the opportunity to contribute, in any small
way, to the advancement of the people.
 
“He intends to remain a strong advocate and warrior for St. Mary’s
South, a community where he was born and raised and has
represented for 20 years,” she concludes.

Brother B, as he is affectionately called, has now made two platform
appearances in support of Simon’s candidacy.