‘I am trying to stay strong for him’
US$150K campaign launched to help JC student injured in crash
Published:Monday | January 9, 2023 | 12:47 AMJudana Murphy/Gleaner Writer
The family of 17-year-old Kemeish Barr is appealing for urgent assistance to get the Jamaica College sixth-former overseas for life-saving medical intervention after being hospitalised in critical condition since mid-December 2022, following a car accident.
The youngster, who is admitted at the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH), is suffering from brain injury, a broken neck, cracked ribs, as well as lung and liver damage. A tracheostomy tube has been inserted through the front of his neck to deliver oxygen to the lungs.
His relatives have set up a GoFundMe campaign to raise US$150,000 to cover airfare and medical assessments.
“My son is young and has a bright future ahead. I believe that getting him overseas, where the medical resources are readily available, will result in an upturn in his health status,” Kemeish’s mother, Simone Dodd, told The Gleaner on Saturday as she prepared to board a flight to leave the island.
Dodd, who resides in the United States, disclosed that her son lives with his grandparents and an uncle and that she was unaware that he was on the road when the accident occurred.
“I sent him to school to go on a camp and the camp was postponed, and then I heard that he went out with friends. That’s all I know, so this was shocking to me,” she said.
“I am trying to stay strong for him because I am the bread-winner,” the mom of two added.
The St Andrew Central police have been investigating the circumstances surrounding the vehicular crash, which took place on Sunday, December 18, 2022, and claimed the life of one person. At least six other people sustained serious injuries.
It is reported that a teen was driving a Mazda Premacy motor car about 6 a.m., when the vehicle reportedly got out of control and crashed in the vicinity of 33 Constant Spring Road.
Dodd told The Gleaner that the doctors at the island’s leading trauma hospital have said that they are unable to do much for her son because he is unresponsive.
Kemeish had been in a medically induced coma and was taken out of it on Friday.
Dodd said she questioned why such a decision was made, given the fact that her son remains unresponsive, but she was told that the intensive care unit is for patients who cannot breathe on their own and her son is now able to breathe without assistance.
“He is loved and if love alone could just wake him up, he would have woken up a long time ago,” said Dodd.
“Kemeish is a helpful child. He doesn’t have to know you to offer help. If you’re walking with a bag and he sees that it is heavy, he helps,” she said, adding that her son would often give up his seat in the bus to women and the elderly.
The mother also detailed that a CT scan was requested and is yet to be done because of staff shortage and the unavailability of an ambulance.
She told The Gleaner that she informed the doctors that she would pay for the services of a private ambulance and the required medical staff, but was told that it could not be allowed.
Kemeish obtained eight subjects at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate level and is preparing to sit three units of Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination.
“He is doing very well in school. He is a bright little boy. His favourite subject is mathematics and he has been doing well in it since primary school,” she said, adding that her son aspires to build a career in the field of business.
Dodd reasoned that it is important for her son to get to the United States as soon as possible to receive treatment for the brain injury and the broken neck.
“When he wakes up, he won’t be able to walk for now. But with therapy, he’s going to walk in the name of Jesus. Nothing beats prayer, so most of all, I would just love everybody to pray and ask God for a miracle, and if you can give a donation, I’d appreciate it,” the mother appealed.
How you can help
Visit the GoFundMe campaign page at https://gofund.me/bbf9d8ea