Damion Mitchell, News Coordinator - Radio
Sheneil Walcott at her home in Denham Town, Kingston. - CONTRIBUTED
ALMOST FIVE months after 17-year-old Sheneil Walcott was doused
with 'acid' she cries in pain. At times there are no tears.
She struggles to describe her emotions but the words that escape her scorched lips are incoherent.
Despite her scorched appear-ance, Sheneil displays a determi-nation that suggests she is grateful to have survived the caustic attack.
It all began on November 22, 2005, when Sheneil went to visit her boyfriend at his house. According to her, he later left the house for work, promising to return soon. She said while she was at the house, a woman entered and doused her with 'acid'. Her attacker then fled.
AT A LOSS FOR WORDS
Sheneil was at a loss for words as she recalled her fiery ordeal. She recalled that while she was seeking the assistance of neighbours, everything went black. Hours later, she regained consciousness in the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) with third-degree burns - her left ear melted, her left eye destroyed and upper body disfigured.
"It was really not me lying on that bed," she told The Gleaner from her verandah in Denham Town, Kingston, as the mid-morning sun yawned over the place she calls home.
TEAR GLANDS
Periodically, her mother, Janice Brooks, treated her with prescribed eye drops to provide moisture for her eyes, as the tear glands are no longer functional.
But for Sheneil, living itself has been difficult: "It's stressing, really stressing but I know my life was saved for reason ... I have to be strong for my mother."
With her voice waning, Sheneil described as cruel, the world in which she lives. "How can you look on another human being and throw 'acid' on them?" she questioned.
At the time of the incident, Sheneil had just begun working and was only five days away from her graduation at the Ascot High School having been successful at her Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) examinations.
Her mother was at work on the day she got the call that Sheneil had had an accident and had been hospitalised. She said when she rushed to the institution she was only able to identify the girl she raised for 17 years by her hands and feet.
"It take a toll on me, I can't enjoy anything again," she said adding that the associated medical expenses have been burdensome, making it more difficult for her and her daughter to afford counselling.
SURGERY
Now Ms. Brooks is appealing for help to defray current medical expenses and to fund reconstruc-tive surgery that her daughter desperately needs.
Already the Key Club of the Eltham High School has launched a fund to assist Sheneil and Janet Skiers, a teacher at the institution, is appealing for members of the public to assist in any way possible.
In the meantime, Sheneil is advising young people to be most careful with the persons with whom they choose to engage in relationships.
DONATIONS MAY BE MADE TO:
The Sheneil Walcott Welfare Fund, Bank of Nova Scotia, King Street.
Account number: 911700.
