Victim of lightning strike recovering slowly

As Patrick Stephen “Bennie” Gibson recovers in hospital, an appeal is being made to the general public to assist with efforts to defray his medical bills.{{more}}

Gibson, 41, who was struck by lightning on Sunday, July 26, while at a Cricket match at Marine Park, Brooklyn, New York, is now out of Intensive Care and has been moved to the 11th Floor of the Beth Israel Hospital in Manhattan.

Gibson, a former resident of Dauphine, is now eating solid foods for the first time since his near fatal experience nearly two months ago.

Gibson has lost a lot of weight and is unable to walk as he has yet to regain strength in his limbs. He is, however, now speaking, albeit with a slur, and at times, he is inaudible.

Family and friends told SEARCHLIGHT that Gibson has been demonstrating a great deal of will power and determination. This they see as an important factor in his recovery.

Two weeks ago, when his teammates and other well-wishers visited him, Gibson was able to call them all by name. His companion Cleopatra Richards continues her vigil at his bedside, despite having to work.

Last Friday evening, the Brooklyn Cricket League, of which Gibson is a part, held a fund-raising dance at Café Omar in Brooklyn.

Guest artistes included Lively, Fireman Hooper, Bob MC, Dennis Bowman and Scorcher.

In addition to this, the Stephen (Patrick) Gibson Relief Fund has set up an account in New York at the HSBC bank, with account # 661760197.

“Any contribution made by you, however small, would be greatly appreciated and would be put to use for a worthy and needy cause,” a release from the Brooklyn cricket League stated.

“We are trying to reach out to every person who would like to make a difference in Stephen’s life and encourage you to make your contribution to any HSBC bank in your area under the name of Stephen (Patrick) Gibson Appeal Fund”, the League urged in the release.

The Brooklyn Cricket League hopes to continue its efforts and is soliciting the public’s support as Gibson’s recovery promises to be a lengthy and expensive one.

Data shows that about ten per cent of people who are struck by lightening are killed, leaving ninety percent with various degrees of disability.

The odds of a person being struck by lightning in their lifetime (estimated at eighty years) are 1/5000.