The young survivor of a devastating car accident has undergone a transformation that his family has described as nothing short of a miracle.
When relatives of D’vard Cummings saw the mangled wreckage that left him with head trauma and multiple injuries, they were convinced the boy with big dreams from Waterwheel Road, Diego Martin, would never bounce back.
The 23-year-old, who was only discharged from the hospital two weeks ago, is not only defying the odds now but is still bent on achieving his goals despite his major setback.
When Guardian Media visited the family yesterday, Cummings was taking small, painstaking steps, each slow stride inching further along a winding road to recovery.
His mother, Rhonda, said on August 27, Cummings was involved in an accident along St Lucien Road, Diego Martin, that left him critically injured.
“He suffered a contusion. They told us from that injury in particular, we will be bringing home a baby. His diaphragm was ruptured, his lung was punctured on the left side, his arm broken, broken pelvis, broken hand, his bowels came up to his chest, they had to put it (back). He also broke his nose.”
Cummings has credited prayers for her son’s survival. She said many who saw the wreckage and his body gave up all hope he would be able to persevere.
She said life was never a walk in the park for her D’vard, who was born prematurely and later forced to battle against near-fatal bouts of pneumonia and dengue.
Despite no memory of the accident, D’vard still remembers his passion.
“I like learning stuff in general about anything. As you would see trees around, I just like learning about the trees and nature, I real like nature, National Geographic, major inspiration - Sir David Attenborough, that is the man himself,” he told Guardian Media.
The former Diego Martin North Secondary School student, after obtaining distinctions at CSEC and CAPE examinations under challenging circumstances, earned his bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and Biology this year.
While Cummings needs urgent physiotherapy, he is reminding others to never hang their heads no matter how daunting things may seem.
“Life is full of obstacles, there is no way to really get rid of them, you have to work through them, it’s a daily process.”
Anyone wishing to assist Cummings and his family can contact 306-4620 or visit his go fund me page https://www.gofundme.com/f/dvards-fight-for-life.