Source: Trinidad and Tobago Express

STEPHEN GIROD’S dreams are still well alive despite the fact that he has a body which is paralysed.

Girod is still an ambitious 24-year-old who wants to be a civil engineer and own his business. But there is another dream he first wants to fulfill – to be able to walk again.

Girod was paralysed after he fell from a 20-foot high roof on October 27, 2004, and suffered a spinal cord injury.

“I hit the ground directly and was instantly paralysed,” he said.

Girod now has the ability to move his head and raise his arms, but has difficulty holding objects.

“I cannot help myself in anyway,” he said.

He spent six weeks at the San Fernando General Hospital where he had surgery to relieve the pressure on his spinal cord and physical therapy for a year.

His mother, June Girod, has constantly been at his side.

“But she is a petite woman and it is hard on her,” he said.

Girod, of La Ruffin Road, Moruga, also needs the help of his brothers.

They help him off his bed to the taxi which takes him to church for worship twice a week.

He spends most of the day on his bed reading his bible and also reads the Express newspaper daily.

It was through the Express that he learnt of a 36-year-old man in Freeport who also wanted to have stem cell surgery.

Girod made contact with him and was told of the Shen Zhen Beike Bio Technology Co Ltd in China.

He forwarded his medical history to the institution and was scheduled to have the operation last November.

“I have seen pictures of the room, the doctors and even the people I would be meeting at the airport,” he said.

The $600,000 amount needed has not been obtained.

Through fund-raisers, his family has almost raised a quarter of the amount.

“We have had eight bar-b-ques and so far have $140,000,” Girod said.

They intend to continue this drive but Girod is also asking the public for their assistance.

“Any support would be greatly appreciated,” he said.

An account number 4012955 has been opened at the Princes Town branch of Scotiabank for anyone who is willing to help.

For further information, Girod can be contacted at 331-1110.

“Maybe one day I would be able to have a success story in the Express,” Girod hoped.