Sunday, September 12, 2010

'Josie May' to Reunite With Family

Ethel May Helmbright is considered an "ariki" back in New Zealand, a person of high regard to the Maori people. She was the last of her generation, the last living member of eight brothers and sisters who abruptly set off for Alaska three decades ago.

How she ended up homeless on the streets of Waikiki for 10 years -- confused, unwilling to accept help and unable to even remember her own name -- might remain a mystery forever.

But the bigger question is how the gaunt and frail woman known in Honolulu as "Josie May Bright" will adjust to life back home in New Zealand, reunited with a family she cannot recall.

"She's confused," said her court-appointed Hawaii guardian, Roger Petticord. "She doesn't understand what's happening."

The Hawaii Office of the Public Guardian has handled "Jane Doe" cases before, but nothing like the mystery of 83-year-old Josie May Bright, Petticord said.

"This one's unique," he said.

Full Article and Source:
'Josie May' to Reunite With Family

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

The Public Guardian is going to give her up without a fight?

I hope so.