D'vard's fight for life

Hi my name Shernee Santoo and I am fundraising for my younger brother D'vard.

My brother D’vard Cummings turned 23 on 27 August 2022. That Saturday on his birthday, D’vard chose to work rather than go out. After leaving his late night shift at 3am and only minutes from home, D’vard’s car was run off the road into an electrical pole and spun out of control because the taxi driver had fallen asleep at the wheel on St Lucia Rd, Diego Martin.

Minutes later, in what can only be described as a horrific impact, D’vard lay unconscious, suffering a ruptured diaphragm, broken nose, broken arm, fractured wrist, broken legs (both), broken hip, fractured bottom bone and broken pelvic bone. From the force of the impact, his bowels came up into his chest. One of Dvard’s lungs was also punctured, and his heart was visible from a cut on his chest. Most tragically, Dvard’s frontal lobe suffered a contusion, resulting in severe traumatic brain injury. During emergency surgery, D'vard had his organs rearranged, his lungs shifted back into place, and steel implants inserted into his left leg and left arm.

After the surgeries, D’vard was finally taken off life support machines, able to breathe independently. D’vard now faces a long road to recovery, learning how to heal and reuse both his body and mind. He requires physiotherapy, cognitive therapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy. The doctors say it is a miracle that he is alive today. But I know my brother, and I know he is a fighter. He has never let his health or his circumstances hold him back. But this time, with this tragedy, we are in desperate need of financial help to help him.

D'vard's story - D’vard has faced a lot of trials in his life, from being born 3 months premature and almost losing his life at 10 due to dengue fever. Both times D’vard showed us his will to survive. He doesn’t drink or smoke, or even take over-the-counter medications.

At 12, our family migrated to Canada for a better life. D’vard got into a secondary school, which he excelled at, but 3yrs later we moved back to the Caribbean because the visa to stay did not come through. D’vard was placed in a lower grade secondary school because the school board underestimated him. Against the odds (sometimes without a uniform, books or money for breakfast) D’vard again excelled, even winning awards for his excellence and with distinctions in Biology, Chemistry, English, PE and Agriculture.

With his love for the environment, he then went on to the University of the West Indies to study Environmental Science and Biology, obtaining his Bachelor's degree. This was 2 months ago at 22yrs old. With so much life ahead of him, Dvard’s dream was to go on to his Master of Philosophy and then PhD. This was his big dream. Even with the financial difficulties, he did exceptionally well and received praise from his professors and peers. D’vard has always been one of a kind in our community.

It is a reality that ours is a crime-ridden and poverty-stricken neighbourhood. But D'vard is known as a humble, respectful, and decent young man loved by everyone there, along with a few of his friends who are also doing well in their studies and with who, just the day before this tragedy, he was having chats with about what the future holds for them. Despite the odds stacked against him, D'vard was working to make a difference. We are praying for him and believing in his desire to live.

How you can help – This fund will go to the cost of supplies like pampers, ointments, ongoing scans, medicines consultations and rehabilitative treatments. No matter how small it may be, whatever you can contribute, be it donations and/or prayers or simply sharing D'vard's story, we will be forever grateful.

D'vard's recovery - We will be giving regular updates on D'vard's progress and recovery. We know D'vaard can do this. Thanks and much love to everyone in advance for your kindness and generosity in helping with my baby brother’s recovery!