Monday 8 November 2021

The Love of a Sister for her Brother, Anabella Seaga-Mian Cries For Help!!!

It wasn’t until I watched a recent Netflix series that I realized what an achievement it is to be a multi-sport athlete. My older brother, Chris Seaga was one and I’m ashamed to say that I’m just realizing how amazing that is. Chris was one of Jamaica’s champion swimmers by the age of 9. At the time, daddy Edward Seaga had taken a 2 year sabbatical from politics and would coach Chris daily at our pool. Himself an avid sportsman, he encouraged Chris’ athleticism with his customary dedication and systematic approach. Wearing his iconic black ‘darkers’ I’d see him leaning over the edge of the pool with his stopwatch in his hand and a little black book in the other where he painstakingly recorded all of Chris’ swim times. If you know my dad, you’d know that he had several of these little black books where he recorded all things important. 


On the weekends we’d go to swim practice and meets at the National Stadium where Chris swam for the indefatigable Neville Alexander's Flying Fish Ambassadors Swim Club Jamaica 1959-1978. The young swimmers would parade in their unmistakable canary yellow track suits while us younger ones shelled salty, roasted peanuts and licked colorful snow cones, frolicking under the stands. The meets ran late into the nights. Dinner was cups of yellow, steaming corn soup under the dark skies and glaring flood lights. As sleep came and the temperature dropped, I’d shroud myself in a towel and lie on a makeshift bed of even more towels padding the hard bench and rest my head in mommy’s lap. Whistles, horns and starter guns sounded in the background and cheers lulled me to sleep.

Chris enjoyed the rivalry from his competition on the Marlins and the YMCA teams. They were in his head and he was in theirs. His rivals’ names were part of family conversation as we noted their performance and psyched him up for his next.  Nonetheless, he dominated his age group at home and abroad. His butterfly stroke was sheer beauty in motion! 

Just before a race, swimmers would gather for pep talks while licking powdered glucose from their palms. The moms rationed the pure, white sugar from little plastic bags. I’d beg for a taste, savouring it on my tongue for the few seconds it lasted before it melted away. Daddy would caution Chris; “Remember, don’t look beside you!” as Chris would be tempted to do when he neared the finish. That sideways glance could shave fractions of a second off his time and cost him a win. 

As he got older he tried other sports while at Campion College and then at St. Andrew’s College in Canada where he made the team in every sport: swimming, ice hockey, cricket, soccer, squash and American football and even captained the cricket team. There is a photograph  of him hanging in the entrance… he was the first student in the school’s history to make every team!  His housemaster, Mr. Harrison would tell stories of seeing Chris ice skating on the pond at below freezing weather, dressed only in a terry robe and shorts as he taught himself to ice skate.  Recently, I was told a story about Chris bringing his Canadian school’s cricket team to play Campion’s cricket team where from the tip of his bat, he hit the winning 6 runs, way out of the park! He became a legend. 

It’s only now that I realize what a big deal it was for Chris to then transition to American football in university. His American coach (Ford Ackerman) in Canada introduced him to the game and saw talent. He encouraged Chris to go to an American university rather than a Canadian one so he could play on a college team. Chris was enticed by the sport and Daddy encouraged him thinking it would be a good career for him. Once at University of Miami, he started training with the Hurricanes. He became so muscular and big that mommy would tell him his neck was beginning to look like Herschel Walker’s. I didn’t know who that was  but the name became a familiar one every time she saw him come home for vacations. Two years later, Chris transferred to University of South Carolina and he ‘walked-on’ to their Gamecocks team.  He started out as a line man but was running as fast as the wide receivers so his coach switched him to a running back position.  American football is a sport where boys train in their high school junior varsity and varsity teams just to become noticed to be able to vie for a chance to be considered for this level of play. Here, a boy from Jamaica who never grew up playing American football, trained and played with 2 of the most prestigious college teams in the country at the time! 

As I learn more about sports teams I realize just how impressive all his achievements are. It all came so naturally to him, he made it seem effortless. So, it’s hitting me even harder that Chris at 55 years-old is in stage 4 kidney failure. He undergoes dialysis 2 times a week for the past 2 years and it has weakened him. His muscles are atrophying and his spirit is waning.  He needs a kidney, so, if any of you know of any way to help us find a kidney donor for Chris, please reach out to me. We are all worried about him, mommy especially. We have no idea where to turn. We Mitsy Seaga and Andrew Seaga  need your help.





Note:

Anabella Seaga-Mian and Christoper Seaga are The Most Hon. Edward Seaga (deceased) and Mitzy-Mian children. Their father gave his life for this nation. His son needs your support to find a kidney donor and with your love I know we can find someone. Mr. Seaga was a former Prime Minister of Jamaica and Mitzy Mian his former wife, was a Miss Jamaica Queen.

Please help by sharing this post with your friends.

This information was taken from Anabella Seaga-Mian's Facebook page.

32 comments:

Althea Hewitt said...

Wow! I really do hope he gets a kidney. We just have to hope for a miracle. They still do exist.

Unknown said...

Very sad to learn that Christopher is ill. I oray that a donor will be found soon. I extend prayers to his family.

Micspen said...

The truth is that I've heard the name but always wondered what was he doing and where.
This tells me we need to develop a culture of sharing organs at the point when we no longer need them.I have no such hangups and if I have good organs I will donate them to research or someone who needs them.Thosecwho do cremation why burn a good thing and also why bury a good organ when someone could use it.
This should be aired because there could be someone/others who have no such hangups.Hope he gets a kidney soon.

Micspen said...

Didn't know Edward Phillip George Seaga was so multitalented to be even coach.

Just sis G said...

Wow it's surprising no one heard of him.Alot of us don't know what our people has done for our country.Really sad to hear pray the he get Help before it's too late.

Unknown said...

On my god it's so sad he was such a talented guy from his youthful age ,I hoping if contact the several sport discipline he was involved with abroad,he would afforded him a kidney

Unknown said...

I pray God will send help for this man

Dr. Marjorie Vassell - LiveSmart360 said...

So sorry to hear this. Will circulate as much as I can. Stay strong Chris, praying and hoping a kidney donoor can be found soon. Blessings.

Dr D. said...

Thanks for sharing, Vernon and Anabella. I will share your appeal. I wish him all the best.

Unknown said...

I pray that a donor will be found soon.

Unknown said...

Praying for a donor

Unknown said...

Hope a donor may be found soon for chris may God continue to take care of him

Anonymous said...

As an organ donor I know how much donations are badly needed especially in Jamaica. I pray and hope a donor will be available ASAP.

M. Davis said...

I pray that, even as I type, this appeal has reached the eyes & hearts of suitable persons. Don't give up hope Christopher & family.

tainja said...

Praying a donor is found soon. All the best. Toni Allen

Unknown said...

Chris is one of us. Let us all try to send this appeal to as many persons as possible.
God, please give this family strength to deal with this serious problem.

Unknown said...

Why don't you guys fly him to Africa so that one of those praying Prophet, prays for him to get healing.. or is that you don't believe that prayer still works.

Unknown said...

Praying for a donor and his life can be returned to normalcy

Unknown said...

God is a miracle working God. He is a healer, there is nothing too hard for Him to do. Turn to God, trust Him and watch Him work. Pray!Pray! Pray! Will be praying for Chris🙏

Unknown said...

MIGHTY GOD, WE ASK YOU FOR A MIRACLE FOR CHRISTOPHER SEAGA BECAUSE YOU ARE STILL IN THE HEALING BUSINESS LORD!! IF IT US YOUR WILL TO HEAL CHRIS VIA A DONER, THEN PLEASE CAUSE THAT DONER TO BE IDENTIFIED IN JESUS MIGHTY!! WE COMMIT THE ENTIRE NEED IN YOUR HANDS BECAUSE YOU CARES FOR CHRISTOPHER VERY MUCH LORD!! WE GIVE YOU THANKS FOR HIS LIFE AND FOR HAVING KEPT HIM UPTO THIS POINT LORD!!
AMEN AS WE PLEAD THE BLOOD COVERING OFJESUS CHRIST OVER CHRIS IN JESUS MIGHTY NAME I PRAY!! AND LORD, IF CHRIS DOES NOT KNOW YOU AS HIS PERSONAL LORD AND SAVIOUR, THEN PLEASE OPEN HIS EYES AND REVEAL YOURSELF TO HIM JESUS!! WE GIVE YOU THANKS FOR WHAT YOU ARW DOING IN JESUS MIGHTY NAME!!
AMEN!!

Unknown said...

Praying for you Chris that our miracle working God will continue to take care of you and provide that life saving organ you so desperately need.

Mariogrant said...

How do i go by donating i want to donate this is my number 8765425140

Patricia said...

Hope is gets a kidney soon.

Unknown said...

Dear Chris, Very sorry to hear about your illness. I think it best to work with the health professionals that are looking after you as transplantation is more complex than the lay public may realise. I wish you well from the bottom of my heart. One could try the Jackson Memorial Hospital Transplant Services, in Miami? I know they used to help people needing transplants in the Caribbean small islands. You have my prayers and good wishes. Magi

Vernon Lloyd Derby said...

I will be in touch with you.

Anonymous said...

One can't be sure that a corpse is buried or cremated with all of its organs. Funeral directors are aware that organ harvesting is a billion dollar industry. However, i agree that families needs to be more aware of donation of organs. But one must be carefull still of unscrupulous individuals...

Vernon Lloyd Derby said...

The family is definitely working with some of the best health professionals here and overseas. The challenge at this point is getting a kidney and that is why the matter has been made public. We are also using the opportunity to educate the society about diabetes and to encourage more support especially for those who cannot afford the weekly dialysis treatment.

Anonymous said...

Our helpful Caribbean neig hbor, Cuba, has been in the business of assisting our people in Jamaica with kidney transplants. Hope they can still help.
Sending up prayers for you Christopher n for the family. ��

Anonymous said...

Greafeedback

Anonymous said...

can Jamaica develop a national campaign to encourage jamsicans to donate their organs on transitioning. as someone said..why cremate your good organs.when they can help to prolong someone else life?

Unknown said...

God can heal you anywhere

Jamaican Gurl said...

Amen!!!

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