A new call has been put out for friends, relatives and well-wishers of David ‘Stimo’ Stimpson to assist the National Museum curator who suffered a significant spinal injury after being stabbed while at work on December 21 last year.

Stimpson, who was hospitalised after the incident, remains paralyzed below the chest, but, with daily physiotherapy, is said to have regained a good range of motion in his left arm as well as some fine motor skills that have allowed him a level of independence, including the ability to feed himself, adjust his bed, swipe his phone to receive and make calls, and browse the internet.

The Wolmer’s Old Boys Association (WOBA), in a Facebook post updating Stimpson’s condition last night (March 8), said even though he has regained some feeling in his right hand, it is still not functional.

STIMPSON A WOLMERIAN

Stimpson is a graduate of Wolmer’s.

“For post severe spinal injury, the first six months are critical in maximising functionality in all limbs where possible,” the WOBA said, while indicating that in-depth research and consultations with experts in the field have indicated that the Brooks Rehabilitation’s Neuro Recovery Center, based in Jacksonville, Florida, would give him the best chance of making greater progress.

However, the total cost to access the Brooks Rehab Programme for the prescribed 28-day treatment programme is US$104,000.

“To date, you have donated US$19,000 in Canada and the US, and another US$10,000 in Jamaica in funds and services,” the WOBA said as it spoke to members.

“Approximately US$16,000 remains that can be put towards Brooks Rehabilitation and our goal is to get David there before the end of March.”

CULTURE MINISTRY COMMITS TO HELP, BUT DOESN’T SAY WHEN

The WOBA noted that there has been a verbal commitment from the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, which employs Stimpson, to cover some costs of the treatment programme, but there was no firm commitment regarding when, and how much of the total costs would be provided.

“This presents a difficult situation as the Brooks Hospital requires payment up front to schedule and begin treatment. David Stimpson is a well-liked, soft-spoken, humble and laid-back person. Employees at the Institute of Jamaica where he worked are still in shock at this senseless attack,” said Ann-Marie Howard Brown, curator at the National Heritage Trust.

“He was well-loved by everyone that he worked with. He was very dedicated to his job. He was very quiet, but he was a wonderful person. When you talk about a wonderful young man, that was David.”

The WOBA noted that every day Stimpson is not in treatment reduces his chances of maximising his recovery.

“We need your urgent support to obtain U$104,000 for his continued rehab,” the association said.

Ways to Donate:

*USA and International: Wolmer’s of South Florida:· Zelle to [email protected]

• CashApp. $waasf

• PayPal: https://www.wolmersouthfla.org/…/david-stimpson-fundraiser

All donations should state “Support David Stimpson” in the notes.

*For Canadian based donations: the Wolmer’s Toronto Alumni Chapter

• CHIMP Donation page. below is the URL 

https://m.charitableimpact.com/CesR

Click on the blue “Give” button.

• e-Transfer to: [email protected]

Please indicate “support for David Stimpson” in the comments/message field of either option.

For Jamaica-based donations

Scotiabank (New Kingston Location)

Branch code: 50575

Branch Address: 2 Knutsford Blvd, Kingston Jamaica

Account: 919414

Account type: Savings

Account holder is David Stimpson (wife is Sharon Tingle Stimpson)

For additional information on how to support please contact: David Knight ([email protected]), Gavin Wellington ([email protected]), Craig Wellington ([email protected]), or Gordon Deans ([email protected]) who have been in direct contact with the family, regularly.

An update on David Stimpson’s care to date

January 7 – January 17: HRDC private rehab facility– Received electrical stimulation to nerves and muscles not firing properly to facilitate movement/use of limbs which he tolerated well. Had full access to family and 24-hour care. Result – was able to move left hand more but was not functional (able to grasp) and had no fine motor skills in hand. David was also emotionally settled in this facility.

January 18 – February 7: Home with private physiotherapist – 1 to 1½ hours for five to six days each week. Emphasis was on Functional Retraining involving a range of motion exercises and strength training with areas of body showing recovery. Result – some fine motor skills in left hand fingers allowing him to feed himself, adjust his automated bed using the control and swipe his phone for calls, and browse the internet. Furthermore, David had his family around him, was able to receive friends comfortably, and had 24-hour private nursing assistance, on-call doctor and registered nurse. David exhibited high level response to physiotherapy and remained in high spirits during this time.

READ: Wolmerians seek help for National Museum curator after knife attack