Baby injured in fire loses two toes

Matteo Harrison, the one-year-old boy who was badly injured in a fire in June, has lost two of his toes from his left foot.

Speaking with THE STAR, his father Peteroy Harrison said two of the youngster's toes had to be amputated as they were not healing. He said, while he is saddened, he is breathing a sigh of relief as doctors had warned the child may lose part of his left leg.

"Mi sorry say him lose him toes but mi thank God say is not him leg. Him is a strong baby and a lot of times he is very happy, but him always cry when mi have to leave. Him doing therapy and mi know him going to have to wear special shoes. Mi ago make sure say him nuh feel different when him a grow and that him live a normal life as possible," Harrison said.

Little Matteo is currently a patient at the Bustamante Hospital for Children. The infant suffered third-degree burns in the fire at the family's St Ann home. His two older siblings were not injured.

"When mi just find out say him lose him toes, mi feel numb because him did a come on the other day and den dis guh reach him now. But mi know the doctors are doing their best, because they were watching the toes and trying to save them but there was poor circulation of blood," Harrison added.

Harrison said he is unable to visit his son daily because of the travel expense. He also stated he is replacing his identification cards and other documents that were destroyed in the fire.

"Mi did have a little shop suh is it mi gwan stay in because mi nuh get to start build back yet. Mi can't stretch out and sleep because is a small shop. Suh mi sit in a chair and sleep. Mi still grateful," he said.

The new school year is just three weeks away and Harrison said preparing for it is a huge task. He said he has received financial help from members of the public and has used the money on his children.

Persons wishing to assist Peteroy Harrison may contact him at 876 487 5203.