‘I just want to walk again’ - St Ann mother needs urgent knee surgery

What was meant to be a fresh start in Ocho Rios, St Ann, has instead become a daily ordeal for 34-year-old Kemesha Watson.

The St Ann mother is now fighting to walk again after a devastating car crash left her unable to move around or properly care for her two children.

Watson, who was born and raised in Duhaney Park, St Andrew, said her life has always been built on honest work and independence.

A cosmetologist who specialises in nails and eyelashes, who was in the process of building out her client base, Watson suffered a devastating setback after being involved in a car crash on April 12.

"The crash took a toll on me because I can't rally around my kids the way I used to. Life wasn't perfect, but I was definitely working on my goals slowly but surely like building a home for me and my kids," she said.

Her 10-year-old son has become her caregiver, a burden she says torments her.

"A 10-year-old shouldn't. I feel bad sometimes about the amount of times per day I have to call to him for help or even wake him out his sleep," she said.

"He cried one day and he thought I didn't see him. When I asked what's wrong he said he can't wait for me to walk. That alone breaks me down the most, and since [Hurricane] Melissa it makes me feel even more guilty," she said.

Basic survival has become a battle. Watson said she suffered a major fall-out since the passage of the Category 5 storm.

"A mi son haffi a go out deh go hunt the relief bag dem so we can have food in the house, and even when we get the food them, it still set one way pon we because we nuh have no water, and me can't walk fi go provide and be a parent," she added.

Watson said her attorney-at-law is pursuing the issue of compensation, however, in the short term she requires financial help to get a surgery done. Doctors have told her that without a hinged knee total replacement--a surgery she describes as both urgent and impossibly expensive--she may never walk again.

She suffered an open fracture to her right knee that left her with a severe injury, including significant bone loss. The surgery is estimated at $3.3 million, covering the surgeon's fee and the specialised implant, which alone costs US$10,000 (approximately J$1.6 million).

"I really can't afford that," Watson said.

Her support system, though loving, is limited. Now living in 8th Settlement, Falmouth, she says she is "kotching" after Hurricane Melissa damaged the place she was staying.

"The storm do the place a way, but we haffi be grateful it nuh as bad as St Elizabeth. ... But the whole situation mek mi realise say mi haffi reach out fi help," Watson said.

Desperate for help, she has turned to Jamaica, the public, and even the dancehall community for help.

"Mi want likkle help so mi can just do the surgery so me can walk so mi can work back and help mi pickney dem. Mi nuh want no help fi build no house or anything, mi will work... Mi just want walk back."

For Watson, the surgery is the one thing standing between recovery and permanent disability.

"I have a chance to walk again, I really need help before my situation becomes permanent, so I am asking anyone who can to help me with this surgery so I can get back on my feet."

Persons willing to assist Kemesha Watson may contact her via telephone at (876) 287-0520.