Paralysed stab victim forgives alleged attacker

David Stimpson was attacked and stabbed nine times in his back while working at the Institute of Jamaica in downtown Kingston.

He is now unable to walk and needs assistance to carry out normal human activities that were second nature to him for his more than 50 years of existence.

Still, the curator of the National Museum of Jamaica has found it in him to express forgiveness for the alleged perpetrator, whose attack has rendered him unable to move around without a wheelchair and in need of expensive and extensive medical care.

“Forgiveness is not in question. I worked with him and mentored him for 20 years. He took out his rage against society on me. Mercy and forgiveness should not be a bargain. Still, he has to pay for his actions,” Stimpson said.

Abebe Payne is facing charges of wounding with intent after he allegedly reacted to a reprimand by Stimpson and left his boss’ office in a rage, before reportedly returning and stabbing him repeatedly and closing the door when he left.

Stimpson was saved after an alert security guard, who was aware of the curator’s open-door policy, barged in to find the curator slumped over his desk bleeding profusely on December 21 last year.

Payne turned himself in to the police days after the attack.

Stimpson faces an ordeal that may affect his mobility for the rest of his life.

He has lost movement in his arms and legs and has been bedridden since the attack.

Faced with astronomical medical costs to restore normality to Stimpson’s life, his family, friends, and alma mater have rallied to the cause.

Stimpson needs US$60,000 for a month of treatment at the Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida. His treatment will be ongoing, but medical experts have warned that he needs urgent therapy during the first six months or all hope may be lost.

The Wolmers’ Alumni of South Florida has answered the call, so far raising half of Stimpson’s medical costs and footing the bill for air travel for the curator and his handlers. However, he still needs help with funding.

Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Minister Olivia Grange has pledged to throw her weight behind procuring funds for Stimpson’s rehabilitation, but that has not yet materialised.

Stimpson, who rode a bicycle to work and represented his school in multiple sports, remains optimistic.

“I hope some good can come from this bad. Something good must come from this,” he said.

Stimpson was due to depart Jamaica for the Florida-based hospital on Friday.

editorial@gleanerjm.com