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Johnson recovering well after shooting injury

Published:Monday | December 28, 2020 | 12:14 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
JOHNSON
JOHNSON

Nearly four months after being shot and injured, former national forward Jermaine Johnson says he has been doing what is required to aid his recovery.

The Tivoli Gardens player, who has been supervising his own rehabilitation, says he still feels effects of the injury, but the more he trains and plays, the better he feels.

“It is still a slow process, to be honest, because I still feel a lot of pain in my chest at nights,” he said. “But I am doing the right thing because I do my walking at mornings and sometimes run. I also drink a lot of water, and eventually, it has improved, and I have developed a better understanding of my body.

“I am not going physical therapy now, so I try to have an understanding of what I need to do, so I Google stuff to know what I need to do.”

Johnson, who was shot in the chest and arm on September 3, said that it resulted in a lung collapsing and that his morning training has been a good remedy for that.

Although it has been difficult keeping pace when playing, he says he feels better each time he plays, which he says means that he needs more football to help quicken his recovery.

“It still affects me because I still get tired quick,” he said. “Like the first 20 minutes or so, I will be breathing very hard and sometimes wheeze. But when I play, I feel good, and the longer I play, the better I feel. So I need to play more because the better it is for me. I know once I start training I will feel even better.”

TIVOLI CAMPAIGN

The 40-year-old, who has had a number of injuries over the last two seasons, is still expecting to play a part in Tivoli’s campaign should there be any action in the Jamaica Premier League for the 2021 season.

“With the situation as it is now, it is kind of hard, but I have a positive mind,” he said. “I know I can overcome this and be comfortable while I am playing.

“So I will be participating once I am fit, and I know the coach will play me. It is just for me to prove myself, keep going, and show them that I want to play and to be among the younger players and to try to help them.”

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com