…Now back home to give to the less fortunate

By Sean Devers
CLIVE Atwell, a former Caribbean Featherweight and WBC–CABOFE Super Lightweight Champion was in a title fight against fellow Guyanese, T&T-based Dexter Gonzales at the Giftland Mall on October 24, 2015 when he fainted.

He was taken to the hospital where he was diagnosed with Subdural Hematomas Hemorrhage and had an emergency surgery done to decompress the swelling which was jamming on his central nervous system.

The surgeon cut his skull to release the pressure and the ‘patch’ (hole in his head) had to be left open for several days to ensure that the swelling decreased.

However, due to the lack of a bone bank in Guyana the surgeon discarded the piece of bone from his skull which should have been used to cover the hole.

He was discharged from the hospital, partially blind, with short term memory loss and poor motor skills.

The former World rated pugilist, with a professional record of 17 fights, 13 wins, 3 losses with 7 KOs, first met Lady Ira Lewis in the USA through the Guyana Committee of Services (GCOS)

Ira is no stranger to the GCOS. Ira recalled her long friendship with Leslie Black, who called her to assist the pugilist after his brain injury and she could not say no.

The GCOS led Atwell to the USA where he met Lady Ira, Monica Sanchez and Matt Farrago, from Ring 10, who assisted in making arrangements for the successful surgery which was done on August 17, 2016 at the Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York, where a titanium mesh was used to cover the hole in his skull.

Atwell has now recovered and coaching young boxers in Australia.

United States based Lady Ira, founder of Guyana American Heritage Foundation (GAHF), is not only on vacation here but she is also giving back to Guyanese children and adults. Ira is doing what she knows best… giving back to the community.

She recently handed out school items, shoes, meals, snacks and food hampers to residents of Lane Avenue where she grew up. Ira also handed over a barrel with food items to Leslie Black, member of the Guyana Committee of Services (GCOS).

Lady Ira also has a centre for youths in Agricola and over the years she hosted spelling ‘B’ competitions for the youths and lots of other events for the kids of the community.

Lady Ira said she is pleased to be of assistance to the GCOS which supports young athletes and others.