Not an easy road - Jeweller says he was determined to recover from stroke

When a massive stroke paralysed the left side of his body and threatened his mobility, Junior Mykoo said he thought of an inexpensive way to get his body back in top form. Although his recovery wasn't easy, he said that he was determined to get better to take care of his family.

"Six years ago when the stroke attack, it crippled my left side completely, but mi tell myself I would not remain that way. I used to do a little physiotherapy, but I didn't think it was working fast enough, so I bought a bicycle, and with determination I am able to walk today. It was very painful, but I decided that I was going to endure all of that because I have to be strong to take care of my children. Sometimes, all Hellshire, mi ride go," he said.

When THE STAR visited Mykoo at his home in Cockburn Gardens in Kingston 11, he was busy in his jewellery shop housed in a wooden structure.

The self-taught jeweller has been in the field for more than 40 years, and he confidently states that he is one of the best at the trade.

Expert jeweller

"My two uncles show mi the trade over 40 years ago, and mi a 58 now, so you know that I am doing this from I am in my teens. Sometimes some people carry some scraps of gold and them surprise when them see mi make some nice things for dem. The only thing I can't make is gold itself," he said.

Although he accept work from walk-ins, Mykoo's main clients are jewellery stores whom, he says, flock him for wedding bands and graduation rings.

"I make all type of jewellery for stores and so on, but I mostly specialise in making wedding bands.

And the thing about my job is that I get work all year long. There is no special reason for jewellery. It can be profitable at times, but my left hand is still not working fully, so I can't work as fast I used to. One time me could make like a 100 rings a week, but now I can just do 60," he said.

Despite the negative attention Cockburn Gardens may have gotten in the past, Mykoo said that he does not intend to move his business from the area because his shop attracts persons from all walks of life.

"It helps to shine a positive light on Cockburn Gardens. A lot of people are sometimes afraid to come here, but when them come, dem don't want to leave. Mi like it here so, and mi really nuh plan to leave, because these were the people who support mi from the beginning," he said.