J’s prosthesis update.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU !

The fundraising for J’s prosthetic leg has reached the target of £2000, (the equivalent of US$2640, €2275, 17,700TT) an absolutely amazing achievement from the local sailing community here in Chaguaramas Bay. J really cannot thank you enough. You have not only “Done a Thing”, you have “Done a MASSIVE, LIFE CHANGING Thing” the effect of which will continue long after we have sailed on to other shores.

On Tuesday morning, nine of us from the Chaguaramas Bay sailing community, went to meet J and to give him the life changing news, that he could have his first made to measure prosthetic leg, specifically for him. He didn’t stop beaming for hours! The centre called his Mum who asked to speak to us on the phone to pass on her very grateful thanks to absolutely everyone. I think she was totally astounded that people who had not met and don’t know J, were prepared to do something so momentous. She also gave her permission for me to share a photo of J with you all.

We were immediately able to take J and a carer from the centre, to Trinidad and Tobago Orthotics and Prosthetics, to start the process for transferring the funds and creating J’s prosthesis. J was weighed, measured and shown all the different components of the prosthetic how they work together. He sat for over half an hour just enjoying the smooth comfortable feeling of the gel sleeve fitted over the stump of his leg, which clicks into the cup of the prosthetic enabling him to remove and refit the prosthetic easily. Certain parts need to be ordered though hopefully the prosthesis will be ready for first fitting in 2-3 weeks time. It will be able to be adapted and extended as J grows. Eventually, he will need new parts, like a different size foot, but not for a good while yet.

J is one thrilled little boy and that’s all thanks to you!

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Hi, my name is Helen. I am a visitor in Trinidad. I am asking the sailing community here in Chaguaramas Bay to join together and “Do a Thing”

To leave a lasting legacy and change a young boy’s life!

We have all stayed here in Chaguaramas Bay, some for only a short time, doing boat jobs and sailing away again. Some of us have a little more time here and so are able to venture inland a little further.

For the last 6 weeks I have been helping out with riding for the disabled. A riding centre in Santa Cruz enables children from a Port of Spain Special School, to experience the joy, not only of interacting with horses and riding but of gaining a new skill, to be out of their wheelchairs, looking at the world from horseback, from a different perspective and to move around using the pony’s able and functioning limbs. The joy is written all over their faces, in huge grins and loud giggles.

J had his lower left leg amputated some months ago. He comes riding each week and despite only having one foot in a stirrup, he has leaned quickly, he’s become a good rider, the only one who has mastered the sitting trot and can also canter.

The school and his family are trying to raise money for him to be measured for a prosthetic leg and have this properly made and fitted for him.

15,000 TT, US$2000 for one family is a lot of money, but looked at in small chunks, if 20 people donated US$100, J could have a prosthesis measured and made specifically for him. One that enables him to leave his wheelchair behind, to walk properly. He is a bright lad and possibly, once out of his wheelchair and able to walk normally, he may also be able to attend a normal school.

If you feel able to donate anything at all, we as sailors of Chaguaramas Bay, could leave behind a lasting legacy, a small boy’s life changed forever.

I don’t have $2000, to give J, but I do have $100, and if only 20 people could see their way to giving J $100, he could have that prosthetic leg.

Shamelessly and with huge expectations, I’m going to ask you all to think about leaving a lasting legacy here in Trinidad, donate what you can and let’s collectively “Do a Thing”!

Donations can be made in cash to me directly, I’m in Peakes yard on Acadia, dropped off at Jesse’s office in Powerboats or can be made online on this Go Fund Me page.

Thank you so very much!