Leader Overcomes Fear to Address Injustice of the Elderly in Barbados

For a long time, I was paralyzed with fear.

The magnitude of the problem of abuse of the elderly was huge in comparison to how small I felt in solving it.

My grandmother, Mildred Goodridge, affectionately known as Millie Lily, suffered a broken shoulder in 2015 at an elderly day care facility, and the staff was unable to provide any rational explanation as to how it happened. I became even more convinced something had to be done to fix the problem.

I gave up my full-time career in corporate brand marketing so that I could fast track a law degree and champion the cause of the elderly.

The Summit showed me I didn’t have to wait to pursue my dream.

Attending the Summit showed me I didn’t have to wait until I had a certificate before pursuing my dream. I was directly confronted with the stark reality that my fear of not being ready, and possibly never feeling fully ready, could actually frustrate and kill my dream.

The Summit’s message of courage inspired me to address my fears so my dream could win.

I remember crying because I knew for so long that was what I needed do. I realized that because I had let fear win, some of the elderly people I had met had died before I could help them.

Inspired to take action, I launched the Millie Lily Movement, which offers a free report writing service for people with elderly loved ones suspected of being abused in care facilities. My desire is to be a voice for the vulnerable and to ensure elderly rights are promoted, protected and fulfilled.

My Summit experience forced me to realize injustice must move me beyond emotion to action… NOW!

Kimberley Benjamin is the founder of the Millie Lily Movement, which offers a free report writing service for people with elderly loved ones suspected of being abused in care facilities. Her aim is to be a voice for the vulnerable and to ensure that elderly rights are promoted and protected. She also volunteers with the Barbados Alzheimer’s Association, the United Nations Development Programme as well as The Global Leadership Summit in Barbados. Kimberley spends her downtime reading and doing online courses, especially those related to health, law or the elderly.