Man suffers spinal injury after tree-trimming mishap

A 32-year-old man from Lawrence Tavern is fighting to recover after a tree-trimming accident last Monday left him paralysed from the waist down.

Calvin Dawkins, who is currently receiving treatment at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), described the terrifying moment the accident occurred.

"I was cutting a tree and, while I was doing that, the branch that I was cutting hit me, so I was knocked unconscious before I fell to the ground," Dawkins told THE STAR.

"When I woke up, I realised I couldn't walk. The thought that I might never walk again hit me hard," he related.

Dawkins underwent a spinal repair operation, which involved the insertion of surgical bolts costing $800,000. A $500,000 deposit was already paid, leaving a substantial balance to cover.

"Since the surgery, the severe pain has eased somewhat, but I'm left to focus on recovery," added Dawkins who faces the heartbreaking possibility of not being able to walk again.

Dawkins, a barber by trade, said he began cutting trees in 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdown, to supplement his income and meet personal expenses.

His mother, Andrea Warren, is now facing mounting medical bills exceeding $1.5 million.

"We've already paid over $200,000 for examinations and $500,000 as the deposit. The $800,000 for the surgical screws is still outstanding, and there are daily hospital costs, medications, and the eventual therapy to consider. We simply don't know how long he will need to stay," she explained.

An appeal has been launched on the crowd-funding website, GoFundMe, to assist Dwakins in his medical treatment. Just over US$1,500 (approximately J$240,000) have been raised out of the targeted US$5,000 (approximately J$800,000)

Warren is appealing to the public for support.

"Anything helps, even a wheelchair, because we know he'll need it eventually. Life can change in an instant, and events like this are impossible to prepare for. It takes years to save a million dollars, but it can disappear in a single day. We would be incredibly grateful for any assistance."

Persons wishing to assist Calvin Dawkins may make donations at https://gofund.me/b3af201a0.