The humdrum of Thursday morning erupted into pandemonium as
two cars raced along Spanish Town Road in Kingston. One got out of control,
mowing down five students of the Tivoli Gardens High School. Horror and chaos
ensued as screams pierced the morning air.
At minutes past 7 a.m., what should have been a regular
morning walk to the bus stop on November 15, 2007, turned into a nightmare for
15-year-old Roxanne Johnson, who was pinned against a barbed wire, left leg
smashed by the vehicle, dazed by the impact. "When I saw two of the other
girls get up, I didn't know that my leg was crushed, so I was about to get up,
too, but I realised that it felt heavy. I looked down. I could see the bone.
The car ripped through my tibia, and the ankle was detached, with only a piece
of skin holding it together," she recounted. "I saw persons running
and screaming, and there was total chaos."
Her schoolmates sustained minor injuries, but she had to
undergo emergency surgery at the Kingston Public Hospital. After four months in
the hospital and subsequent surgeries, nothing could save her leg. It was
amputated in 2012, triggering her deepest fears and sending her into
depression.
"I was worried because I lost my leg. I didn't get any
counselling to deal with the aftermath, so I kept wondering, 'Am I going to
ever get a prosthetic leg? Am I going to use crutches the rest of my life? How
am I going to cope and fit in society? Will I ever find a husband?'
Her life changed after she saw double amputee Sarah Dunbar
on TV. Determined that she must meet this woman who had overcome so much, yet
still retained her jovial nature, Johnson set out to find Dunbar. Their first
conversation paved the way for her growth, giving her reason to believe that
her life could be great despite the setback.
PROSTHETIC LEG
"Sarah told me that she drives, does everything, and
was able to achieve her goals, so I shouldn't worry about it. She counselled
me, and that uplifted my spirit," said Johnson. Now 24 years old, and
wearing a prosthetic leg, Johnson continues to use each day to demonstrate her
new lease on life. She has secured five passes at the Caribbean Secondary Education
Certificate level, one at the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Exam level,
certificates from the University of Technology and the Management Institute for
National Development, and is exploring a degree in nursing.
Paula Fletcher, executive director of the National Road
Safety Council, points out that road crash victims often experience a spectrum
of emotions and life-changing circumstances. "At the crux of that is
coming to terms with the fact that things will be different, and often, they
have to endure the consequences of these crashes for years. As we commemorate
World Day of Remembrance (WDR) for road traffic victims this year, I am asking
all Jamaicans to share an encouraging word with those who have been affected by
road crashes," Fletcher said.
PAYING TRIBUTE
WDR is observed annually on the third Sunday in November by
an increasing number of countries globally. The day is dedicated to remembering
the millions injured or killed in road crashes, and their families and
communities, as well as to pay tribute to the dedicated emergency crews,
police, and medical professionals who, daily, deal with the traumatic aftermath
of road death and injury.
Johnson has become more empathetic since her ordeal and
extends a word of advice for moving on from the haunting memories and
consequences of a crash. "Cry if you want to cry so you can get rid of the
negative emotions. Don't keep it inside. There are people around to keep your
company - allow them. Think ahead and think about what you want from life. Think
positive."