Ten years ago, at just 19 years old, I was working as a waiter at Beaches Resort — my first job, and one I truly loved. Everything was going well until tragedy struck just seven months later. On August 30, 2015, I was involved in a devastating car accident that changed my life forever.

I remember it vividly. The driver was speeding, and the next thing I knew, I was blacking out as people tried to pull me from the wreck. When I finally woke up in the hospital, I was told I had suffered a severe spinal cord injury. I could no longer feel anything below my waist, though I still had full use of my arms.

I was referred to Jamaica for surgery, where doctors treated several other serious injuries — including a fractured pelvis and a broken left hipbone. Later, I developed ossification in my right hip, which causes chronic pain every single day, along with constant back pain.

I spent a month in intensive care before being moved to a rehabilitation facility, where I stayed for three months. That was the only time I received the proper care I needed. I had physiotherapy twice a day and occupational therapy once a day — both vital to my recovery. But that was nine years ago — the last time I had access to the kind of rehabilitation every person with a spinal cord injury deserves.

Since then, I’ve fought tirelessly with the healthcare system in the Turks and Caicos Islands to access intensive therapy abroad. Unfortunately, my country has no rehabilitation facilities or the necessary expertise. Despite my many requests, I was denied again and again. It’s been disheartening, frustrating, and emotionally exhausting.

For nearly a decade, I lived mostly in bed due to the inaccessibility of my surroundings and a lack of support. The infrastructure in the Turks and Caicos Islands makes it almost impossible for someone with my condition to live independently or participate in everyday life.

Today, things are finally changing. I am currently at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH) in Stanmore, UK, where I’ve been receiving specialist care and rehabilitation. Being here has transformed my outlook on life. For the first time in years, I can see what true independence looks like.

The UK is accessible, inclusive, and supportive of people with disabilities. Here, I can move freely, socialize, and be part of a community again. As a British Overseas Citizen, I now have the right to remain in the UK — and I want to build a new life here, one filled with opportunity, dignity, and independence.

However, my situation has recently become even more complex. While at the hospital, I’ve been diagnosed with bladder stones, which can be dangerous and need to be removed. I’ve also been offered hip surgery, but I would like to seek a second opinion before making such a major decision. I am also still waiting for my wheelchair to be made suitable. Unfortunately, these medical needs fall outside the original arrangement that brought me here from the Turks and Caicos Islands, meaning I am now facing difficulties staying in the NHS hospital and continuing my care.

It would be heartbreaking to have come all this way, only to be unable to receive the full treatment I need. At the same time, I am working with the local authority housing department to find accessible accommodation — as I am a British citizen — but the process is incredibly complex, with a lot of red tape and delays. It’s been overwhelming to manage all of this on my own, and it has caused me a great deal of stress. I’m here by myself, just trying to find stability and build a life where I can live independently and with dignity.

Once I’m discharged, I’ll need to find accessible housing and cover the costs of rent, essentials, and adaptive equipment to help me live independently — all while starting over in a new country.

One of my biggest goals is to obtain a power wheelchair attachment, which would allow me to travel safely over rough terrain and reduce strain on my shoulders. This would make a huge difference in my daily mobility and overall quality of life.

Living with a disability comes with many extra costs — from medical equipment and maintenance to personal care items and medication. The rising cost of living has made these challenges even harder. Too often, systems overlook the financial burdens that come with living with a disability.

If you’re unable to donate, simply sharing my story would mean the world to me. Every bit of support — whether financial or emotional — helps me stay hopeful and determined as I rebuild my independence and create a new life here in the UK.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for supporting me on this journey.

With immense gratitude,

Will’dello Seymour