If all goes as planned, Dione Green, 32, who has been an amputee for the past sixteen (16) years, will be back on his feet by December 2016.
The Dominica Association of Persons with Disabilities (DAPD) and other partners, in collaboration with the Keep Walking Association (KWA) based in France, a company that has been assisting in providing prosthetic limbs to a number of amputees in Dominica, is on a drive to raise 15,000 Euros , to provide Green with two prosthetic legs, .
At the age of 14, Green suffered first, second and third degree burns over a large portion of his body as a result of an explosion and at the age of 17, both of his legs were amputated as doctors at the Burn Center of the Shriner Hospital for Children in Boston, were unable to save his legs.
One of the founders of the KWA, Marc Helie, told reporters on Friday that after being successful in helping a number of Dominicans to walk again, he decided to contact the rehabilitation centre in France to seek ways to assist Green.
“I met Dione two years ago. Dione is my friend and we have seen so many people without legs and now they can walk but he still cannot walk so we have to think about him. So we decided contact the rehabilitation centre in France to try to do something for him,” he said. “We can do the legs in Dominica but he cannot use them, because there is no training in Dominica to help him walk again.”
Helie added, “It’s not only a question of legs, it is a question of rehabilitation as well… he cannot walk for 16 years now so it is not easy to stand up with two pieces of iron.”
He explained that Green needs to train for at least two months, four hours per day and five days a week.
He said many people have already assisted towards the project, however, more help is still needed.
Executive Director of the DAPD, Nathalie Murphy said the goal is to get Green to travel to France by the end of September 2016.
Meantime, Green thanked the KWA and everyone else who has come on board to support him in this journey.
“By September I hope to be in France and to be on my feet,” he said.
He called on the public to continue to show their support and contribute, “in order that I may be able to get my legs.”
“I am also asking that they give freely, they give with a willing heart,” he stated. “I know that not everybody will be able to give. Whether it is a prayer, something that you will be able to give, I am very appreciative,” he noted.
“When I come back and I am walking again I would like to give back to the people of Dominica”, Green promised.
Marcella Cools of the Sunset Bay located at Batalie Beach is also part of the fundraising drive to assist Green.
The fundraiser will be held on Sunday, August 14 2016 from 12:00 pm- 9:00 pm at the Lobster Palace at Batalie Beach. 75 percent of the proceeds from the Lobster Palace will go towards supporting Green. There will be a raffle with many prizes to be won. Green is expected to be a DJ at the event.
An auction of local paintings has also been organized at the Fort Young Hotel carded for September 10, from 6:00PM-10:00PM.
Since the Prosthesis Project started last year, the KWA have already assisted in providing 17 people with prosthetic limbs.
Another five from various communities in Dominica are expected to benefit from the project in September 2016.
Members of the public can also donate funds to the account below:
National Co-Operative Credit union (NCCU) LTD
Particulars of receiving bank Name: National Bank of Dominica
Address: 64 Hillsborough Street, Roseau
Commonwealth of Dominica
BIC CODE: NCDMDMDM
Particulars of beneficiary customer Name: National Co-operative Credit Union LTD
Address: 31-37 Independence Street, Roseau
Dominica
Account number: 115000285
Particulars of Depositor Account Number DAPD: 131301-01 for Dione
Or via GOFUNDME
Way to go. May the good Lord see you through. God knows you really deserve this.
\”At the age of 14, Green suffered first, second and third degree burns over a large portion of his body as a result of an explosion.\” Explosion? what exploded? Timer went off too soon? Tell us man! What explosion? I guess it private matters. Wish you well anyway.
Great Job !
I will help. Rise up my boy. Is about time!
We support this great assistance plan and will attend give some money .
Kay a gofundme page has already been set up on his behalf
Dione, I will support your project.
Wonderful project!!
i applaud this effort, good luck with everything may god guide you and protect you on this journey, may your new legs direct you in the greatest path, as small as we can let us come together and donate to his worth cause,,
……….On a more positive note can we set up a go fund me page on his behalf?
Read the last line.
That sounds like a terrific idea Kay…i would prefer to donate this way rather than stepping into a bank where the tellers would give me their special look….lol
Yayyyyyyyyy :D go get ’em bro!