Double amputee seeks prosthetic legs

It has been almost five years since Adisa Alexander was shot 33 times and left for dead in Tavern, St Andrew.

The martial arts teacher lost both legs and suffered severe injuries to his hands and back. But he said that for the first time, he is able to sleep comfortably and almost pain free. On Thursday, Alexander spoke with THE WEEKEND STAR from the University Hospital of the West Indies where he is recovering from implant removal surgery in his left hand and leg

"I am felling a lot better and to be honest, it is the best I ever feel since I get shot five years ago. For a while I couldn't sit up because of the pain that I was feeling, but now I am about to do therapy so I can do those things again. I have got shorter as my leg got cut off shorter, and as expected, I get phantom pain but I am feeling much better," he said. Phantom pain is a sensation of pain in a body part that is no longer present, commonly experienced after amputations.

Although he is almost pain free, the 45-year-old father still has another hurdle to overcome and is reaching out to the public for assistance. He stated that he is in dire need of two prosthetic legs which he said will help him to regain his independence.

"I want to be able to do things. The last time I checked, one of the legs cost $850,000, and the taller they are is the more expensive, and I am going to need two that goes close to my hips. As I say, it's the best I ever feel since I got shot. Right now I can rock my hips and move a bit and do things that I couldn't normally do because it was so painful. I can now sleep better at nights," he said.

In October 2020, Alexander almost lost his life when an unknown assailant pumped 33 bullets into his body. He said he had stopped to seek shelter as it was raining. Tavern is the adjoining community to his Gordon Town abode. As he looks forward to being back on two feet, Alexander said he is anticipating reopening his barber shop in order to earn an income.

"The easiest thing I will be able to do is just go back to being a barber and stuff like that. I don't know if when I get the legs I will be able to do hard work, but for the most part, I just want to regain my independence that was stolen from me without cause. I am asking anyone who can help to just help mi out please," Alexander said.

Persons wishing to assist Adisa Alexander, may contact him via at 876-542-8440.