Monday, March 11 2013

FATHER of TT’s and the Caribbean’s first sextuplets, Kieron Cummings is still working at his regular job and has not been given any paternity leave. A shy and private person, Cummings is coping with his new found fame.

A relative told Newsday that Cummings, an employee of Republic Bank Ltd, has not sought any special leave as yet although he has been given and is being given concessionary days to look after the needs of his new family. He continues to work as normal.

According to the relative, Cummings will have to seek some time off when the babies - born prematurely and currently kept in incubators at the Mount Hope Women’s Hospital - are ready for discharge.

Verna St Rose-Greaves, a friend of the Cummings family said that since Cummings and the mother of the sextuplets, Petra Lee Foon are professionals, special maternity and paternity leave will have to be sought for them.

The sextuplets were delivered prematurely on March 4. Five are off ventilators and the first born who was reported as being critically ill, has stabilised and is improving, but remains on the critical list. “In layman’s language and with a lot of faith in God,” the relative said, “it is safe to say that he (the first born) is improving.” Asked how Cummings, a shy and private person was dealing with the limelight into which he has been thrown, the relative said, “Kieron is coping. He cannot walk the place, either at work, or in the public, without being identified.”

One thing is for certain, the relative said, “Kieron is a proud dad. At this stage he is focusing on the positives and challenges that face his young family. His parents are also being very supportive.”

Noting that the babies have been given names, the relative said the families have been praying for the young couple and each child by name. The entire family’s present focus is on the wellness of the babies.

Noting also the public’s interest in the six babies, the relative said that when the parents “are somewhat settled, they will most likely release the names of the babies.” Lee Foon was discharged from the women’s hospital on Friday after being warded for a month and two weeks, but the babies remains incubated in the women’s hospital.