Roxanne wearing her prosthetic leg



The humdrum of the Thursday morning erupted in pandemonium as two cars raced along Spanish Town, one reeled out of control, mowing down five students of the Tivoli Gardens Comprehensive High School. Horror and chaos ensued as screams pierced the morning air.

At minutes past 7am, 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 now 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 realized 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 saved her leg. It was amputated in 2012, triggering her deepest fears, dragging on ill-fated memories, and spiralling her into depression.

“I was worried because I lost my leg. I didn’t get any counseling 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 I’m going to cope and fit in society? Will I ever find a husband?”

Her life changed after she saw a double amputee, Sarah Dunbar on TV. Determined that she must meet this woman who had overcome so much, yet still retained her jovial nature, she made her way to find her. The conversation paved the way for her growth, giving her reason to believe her life could be great despite her setback.

“Sarah told me that she drives, she does everything, and she was able to achieve her goals, so I shouldn’t worry about it. She counseled me and that uplifted my spirit,” said Johnson. Now 24 years old, and wearing a prosthetic leg, she continues to use each day to demonstrate her new lease on life. She has secured five passes at the Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate level, one at the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Exam level, certificates from UTech and the Management Institute for National Development, and she is looking at doing 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 for Road Traffic Victims (WDR) this year, I am asking all Jamaicans to share an encouraging word with those who have been affected by road crashes,” Fletcher said.

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.”