Vincentian footballer back on his feet again

Two years ago, after suffering a broken neck in a football match in the USA, Vincentian Justin Stapleton was told by doctors there that he would never walk again.{{more}}

But through a combination of faith in God, hard work and the assistance of friends and family, Stapleton has defied the medical report, even harbouring the thought of returning to the sport he loves.

Stapleton, who is currently in St Vincent and the Grenadines on a one month vacation related his progress from being bedridden to waking with little support.

He told SEARCHLIGHT: “I was basically paralysed for two months … I was told that I will never walk again.”

A resilient Stapleton recalled: “I told the doctor that I am going to walk again… I am going to move my legs again before I leave the hospital and I got it done.”

Stapleton revealed that whilst his rehabilitation has been a costly one, his team in New York – Chautex United and local club System Three have mobilized financial help for offsetting the medical costs.

A grateful Stapleton also expressed thanks to Denis Byam of Byam’s Physical Therapy Service who is offering his services freely while he is here on vacation.

Sending a message to his fellow footballers, Stapleton instructed them to pay attention to their academics.

He warned, “Football is not all of it…Now that I am injured, I have my academics to fall back on.”

Stapleton, a former student of the St Vincent Grammar School and the St Vincent and the Grenadines Community College, is a senior at Brooklyn College, where he is he pursuing a degree in Accounting.

Stapleton has represented St Vincent and the Grenadines at the Under-16, Under-17, Under-20, Under-23 and the senior levels.(RT)