St Thomas man gets a leg for new year

St Thomas native Hakim Bond said he has received a huge blessing for the new year in the form of a prosthetic leg.

In a recent interview with THE STAR, the diabetic said he is now steadily regaining his independence after losing his left leg to the dreadful disease.

"Mi feel very, very happy that I can move around again, eno. You really never know the importance of a limb until it is not there any more," he said.

"I couldn't get certain things done, and I had to move around in a wheelchair. Simple things like going to the bathroom on my own used to be challenging at times. I really thank God for this new leg."

Currently undergoing physiotherapy, Bond said he is anticipating returning to the work world and will be venturing into farming.

Bond's story was first highlighted in THE STAR in September. Following the publication, he began receiving financial donations towards the purchase of his prosthetic leg.

"It cost over $600,000 at Surgix and one of my friends gave me $100,000 first. Then a lady who owns a restaurant in Morant Bay let a blogger interview mi, and from there suh everything start manifest and mi get the leg on the 22nd of December," he said.

"Mi a use crutches now, but mi soon can walk on mi own without it. Mi really also want to thank all of my family who help mi out during the hard times."

Bond, who hails from Arcadia, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes from birth and lived a fairly normal life until 2020.

As he worked as on a construction site one day, a nail pierced the sole of his left foot, and, like he had done with other cuts he had got in the past, the father of one decided to play doctor to himself.

"Mi dress it for a while, but it wouldn't heal like the rest of cuts. So I went to the clinic, who refer mi to the hospital," he noted.

"The doctors dem say it was infected and cut part of the foot bottom. Dat never really affect mi from work, but mi never go back to the site work. Instead, mi start a chicken farm," he said.

Unfortunately, shortly after he began operating the chicken coop, Bond's foot got infected again and this time the doctors had to amputate his middle toe. Months later, the infection spread and his remaining four toes were removed.

The amputations didn't stop the infection from spreading and in May, Bond said he was advised by doctors at the Princess Margaret Hospital to remove the remainder of his leg.

According to the National Health Fund, diabetes remains a major health issue in Jamaica, with around 235,600 cases in 2024.

Reflecting on the past five years, Bond said he is encouraging others, especially the diabetics, to never ignore the slightest of wounds for 'just a little scrape'.

"It is never just a little scrape, believe mi. All if it's just a prick, go to the doctor and check it out," he warned. "Dat little scrape can turn your life upside down, so don't take anything for granted.

"Also, maintain your diet and try your best to go by the rules as much as possible," Bond advised.