Second chances…

MELLECIA Suzana DaSilva recently celebrated 10 more years of life after her near-death experience. During that life-changing moment, someone shot her during a robbery as she was driving. She still doesn’t know who. Being left with spinal cord injuries that confined her to a wheelchair, she never thought the day would come when she would be able to drive a car again, or return to any form of normalcy.
But she did. Today, she is very proud of the progress she has made, and the hard work that she has put in. Also, no words can describe her gratitude to her caring and supportive family members who’ve been there from Day One.

“Looking back at all those years, I would’ve never in my wildest dreams thought that I could even reach this far in this journey,” Suzana told Pepperpot Magazine.
When she sustained the injury, she didn’t even know what spinal cord injury was. When she asked the doctor the dreaded question if she’ll ever be able to walk again, the answer was that it was between her and God. “At that point, I understood what he meant, and I broke down, and I felt like it was the end of the world. It was something I couldn’t process in my mind;I had to figure out how I was going to live my life being in a wheelchair. For the next month, all I could think about was dying.”

Suzana couldn’t see the possibility of living according to her new reality, and never thought she could ever be normal again and live purposefully. “But here I am, and maybe it’s really God and myself; just not in the direction I wanted and that is enough for me.”
In a journey like Suzana’s, the smallest accomplishment is a big deal. She often asks herself just how she was able to make it through those initial gruelling years. “There is no sugar coating when it comes to spinal cord injury. It wasn’t easy at all; I remember when I started extensive physical therapy in the US a month after I got injured. The pain was unbearable. But, through tears, I persisted, because I knew it was the only way. This injury takes away so much more from you than your ability to walk.”

Thanks to her persistence and perseverance, Suzana feels her hard work has paid off today. Now, she never loses hope, and continues to set goals, big and small, despite her adversities.
In 2023, she and four other wheelchair users started a non-profit organisation called Guyana Association for Persons with Physical Disabilities (GAPPD), and being one of the executives allows her to help other persons like herself, especially newly injured persons who feel that it’s the end of the world for them.

“Also, I’m so happy to say after almost a decade, I got back into the driving seat of a car and started driving again, only this time with a hand control device attached to my car, which was something I’ve never thought I’ll be able to do again. But I knew for a fact that once I was ready mentally, I was going to accomplish that achievement of driving again.”

“I’ve gained so much independence back from this achievement. It also gives me a sense of freedom, and knowing that I can do anything regardless of being in a chair is more than liberating.”
Suzana stressed the importance of having positive and supportive people around you when you are faced with situations like hers. “When you sustain an injury such as spinal cord injury, it is impossible for you to do it all on your own. It takes a village, positive and supportive people behind you pushing you even when life seems meaningless. I’m truly blessed beyond measure to have supportive and caring parents and siblings. Without them, I wouldn’t have been here today.”

She advised: “Always remember, however bad your situation may be, there is always someone out there that is in a way worse position than you are; trust me. You’re here for a reason; you have a purpose. It’s okay to have bad days, but never let it suck you in and consume you. Look for that little light at the end of the tunnel. Never hesitate to ask for help or if you need to talk to someone.  Your disability doesn’t define who you are. Don’t ever limit yourself to anything; you’re just as equal as anyone else. Visualise your goals and work towards achieving them no matter how long it takes.”