Growing up in Cayman Brac, Jacqui Tomlinson-Smith remembers lamp lights, coal irons, no running water, pit toilets and a three-mile walk to and from school.
“We had to ‘back’ the water from the well and fill the drums for mom, feed the chickens, pigs and horse, before leaving for school in the mornings,” she says. “On weekends, we went with dad and climbed the bluff to weed our potato, peas, and pepper patches.”
The family slept on ‘plant thrash’ mattresses, made from dried banana leaves and covered with flour sacks. “They were very cool, but everyone knew your every move on that bed during the night,” says Jacqui.
Christmas brought with it new dresses made from chicken-feed sacks, and new shoes, which, once outgrown, had the toes cut off to allow for more wear time. Apples were also a once-a-year Christmas treat, as was beef, bartered from Jacqui’s uncle in exchange for home-grown ground provisions.
“We never knew TV, and few had a radio and, of course, phones were non-existent, but we were never bored – we created our own kites, ‘wheelies’, jigs, rock dollies and made the clothes we dressed them in,” Jacqui remembers fondly. “Otherwise, I was busy helping catch lizards or any form of creature for my doctor-to-be brother to dissect. “
Jacqui has come a long way from backing water, becoming the first Caymanian physiotherapist, launching numerous businesses, and presently having Tomlinson Furniture and the Mattress Gallery, RVC Rehab Services Ltd., Beyond Basics Medical Laser & Skincare, and Cayman Career Academy under her stewardship.
Jacqui was awarded an MBE in 2002 for services to the community, as well as being honoured as a pioneer in healthcare the National Heroes Day in 2015.
PHYSIOTHERAPY DREAMS
In 1963 the family, which consisted of 10 children, moved to Grand Cayman to afford the three youngest access to secondary education. Living on Fort Street, Jacqui stumbled across the book ‘Sue takes up physiotherapy’ at the nearby George Town Public Library. “After reading that book, I knew I wanted to become just like Sue,” she says.
A visit to Professor Golding in Jamaica for a fractured and dislocated coccyx – there were no specialist doctors in Cayman at the time – led Jacqui to being treated by physiotherapist Mrs. Elliott at University Hospital in Mona.
“Again, I knew I wanted to become a physiotherapist to become just like this amazing lady,” she says.
Jacqui gained admittance to the new Mona Rehab Physiotherapy School in Jamaica, receiving a scholarship from the Cayman Islands Ministry of Education.
“I was one of 14 students from all over the West Indies who formed the first physiotherapists to train at the [school], from which I graduated in 1965 and returned home to Cayman as the first Caymanian physiotherapist,” she says.
Beginning her career in government employment, Jacqui progressed from working from a bag slung over her shoulder, to a small office space which required her to exit the room so the patient could enter.
“But we made it, and soon, we were able to expand to the old public health space that became available and then to the old kitchen, where the department remained until the new George Town hospital was built, now known as HSA,” she recalls.
As well as being the physiotherapist, Jacqui was the speech, respiratory and occupational therapist, and her fondest memories of those years are of working with the Lighthouse School at the Boatswain Bay Presbyterian church hall. “That experience was priceless,” she says.
After having her first child in 1980, and leaving government employ to be at home, Jacqui went on to open the gym Cayman Nautilus and Physiotherapy Centre, before selling Nautilus, and growing the physiotherapy side of the business.
Especially drawn to women’s health, Jacqui also became a certified Lamaze childbirth educator, doula, and lactation consultant, before opening Beyond Basics Medical Day Spa in 2007, offering laser aesthetic services.
“The response was amazing,” she says, and the success led to the government’s Workforce Opportunities and Residency Cayman department approaching Jacqui with the idea of Cayman Career Academy, a school for fields such as massage, nails, facials etc.
“In 2019, after many hurdles we opened the first CIDESCO School in the Caribbean,” says Jacqui, with CIDESCO – Comité International d’Esthétique et de Cosmétologie – hailed as the world standard for Beauty and Spa Therapy, with the highest qualifications in the industry.
“It is also an EduQual accredited centre and soon we hope to add another prestigious accreditation, which will allow us to offer several new career opportunities for our students.”
Jacqui has lived by her motto “Love what you do and do what you love”. Her positive outlook and strong Christian faith have also been driving forces.
“I honestly delight in serving the Lord, because I know there is a rich hereafter for any self-denial I may have to make in this life,” she says.
This article originally appeared in Compass Media’s CayWoman newspaper supplement.
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