News

Kiona Francis' remarkable recovery

By GEORGE HENRY STAR, Writer

george henry - Kiona Francis, 9, who survived the accident, and her aunt Merdena King-Paul.

SPALDINGS, CLARENDON: ITS BEEN ALMOST three months since a freak accident at an old concrete house at Ritches in North West Clarendon took the life of 14-year-old Spaldings High School student Kavian Palmer and seriously injuring her sister, nine-year-old Kiona Francis.

Kavian's death came as a result of a broken spinal cord injuries to her back, as well as injuries to her chest. Kiona, who slid in an effort to escape from the falling concrete structure which fell on her, had her pelvis broken and was admitted to the Bustamante Hospital for Children.

Well, when the accident occurred on July 7 many persons in Ritches and adjoining communities believed Kiona, a fourth grade student of Ritches Primary School, would not be of much use to herself and would not be able to walk again, as both her hips were broken.

However she has made a remarkable recovery and to the surprise of many, is now walking, though not perfect, and is now looking forward to return to school. A check on the beautiful little girl, by THE STAR on the weekend showed that she was in good spirit, despite her injuries and the fact that she loss a dear sister in the freak accident.

She told THE STAR she was not only happy to be recovering well, but was even more happy and grateful that God has helped her throughout the period of illness and has spared her life and allowed her to be able to walk again.

Little Kiona, who does not like to hear of the accident, wants to become a medical doctor and said she was eager to go back to school to not only see her friends, but to continue her education towards her future dream.

"I am happy that I have and is still recovering and I want to go back to school," said Kiona.

After being admitted to the Bustamante Hospital for Children for two weeks, following the accident, Kiona was discharged and she spent the rest of her recovery period at home, while being attended to by her aunt Merdena.

Merdena told THE STAR that Kiona had her pelvis in a cast for more than ten weeks following the accident and it was removed on Wednesday. She said Kiona has been coping well since the removal of the cast and was very happy it was removed.

She said her neice experienced severe discomfort while the cast was on, as she felt pains and had a severe itching. She said although Kiona was able to move about, her doctors had requested that it be minimal, and so she had to be assisted in her walking.

Merdena said Kiona has been receiving work from her teacher. This she did and returned for marking.

She described the little girl as a brilliant student and revealed she will be going back to school next Monday, as her movements around the house indicate she would be able to cope.