Single mother struggling after tragedy

One year after the passing of their father Michael Jackson due to colon cancer, fate dealt another blow to the Jackson family of Coopers Pen, Trelawny.

Christine Campbell, head of the family, said the death of her partner left her with sleepless nights.

"It was really rough and very stressful time. I got sick especially for me because I could hardly sleep at nights," she said.

On February 17, 2017, a traffic accident involving two cars along Market Street in Falmouth left one of their now 13-year-old twins, Mikael in dire circumstances. The twins' older sibling Mickayla, who was nine at the time of the incident, suffered a fractured thigh while Mikael was left paralysed from the waist down. Mikael was one of two children who was paralysed as a result of the crash. The other was Tamara Noble.

"I have had a most difficult and costly time since that day. I was hurting but I couldn't let my kids know. I have to hold everything inside. When my son told me that he couldn't feel his leg, I didn't believe. Even when we went to the hospital and the doctor told me that there was a 50/50 chance that Mikael could be paralysed, I still didn't believe that he had a spinal injury. It's very hard for me to look back on Mikael's picture of how he was before because it is very stressful," Campbell said.

"All the money I have has been exhausted. I have to depend on relatives and friends," added Campbell, a mother of four.

THE WEEKEND STAR has been told that victims of the crash have not been compensated for their injuries. It is understood that the motor vehicle in which the children were travelling had 11 passengers on board, and the insurance companies have refused to make a payout due to the taxi being overloaded. The non-payment of insurance monies, coupled with Campbell's unemployment status, have combined to add to the mother's woes. Campbell, who suffers from a serious medical condition, has been out of a job for the past nine months. She said she is hoping to gain employment soon, and continues to fight for justice for her children, hoping that things will work in their favour.

"Every corner I turn, I encounter hurdles. The costs associated with transporting Mikael to school and providing him with essential physiotherapy are staggering," she explained.

As the twins enter grade nine, Mikael at William Knibb Memorial and Mikaela at Holland High schools, the challenge of ensuring their education continues to weigh heavily on Campbell's mind. The upcoming school year brings an added burden, as she grapples with uncertainties about how to afford their school supplies.

"The school fee for all three children is $36,000 but it is yet to be paid," she said. "Though we are registered on the PATH programme, its assistance only scratches the surface of my family's needs. The costs of transportation and daily meals are formidable."

In the midst of her struggles, two kind-hearted teachers, Judith Reid and Kay-Ann Forrester, have extended their help. Campbell expressed profound gratitude for their support.