ÐÓ°ÉÐÔ°É

If Chace Singh had a time machine, he would set it to January 9, 2025 in order to reverse his misfortunes. It was a day that tore apart everything he once knew. In the blink of an eye, the vibrant 34-year-old's life was forever changed when a brutal wave of electricity surged through his body as he picked ackee for breakfast.

Singh, who once prided himself on his independence, lost all four limbs to the violent electrocution. Now, he is reaching out to the public, hoping for financial support to help him regain even a piece of the freedom that was so cruelly snatched away.

"I lost both hands and feet. Both my feet are cut above my knees and I lose my entire left hand and the right hand is cut above my elbow. This incident has stolen my independence. I am not hungry but the real support is my mother. I lived in Portmore but I had to relocate to Trelawny to live with my mother. I had to close my shop. This incident has affected me significantly," he said, the pain of his loss raw in his voice.

On that fateful Thursday morning, Singh, a proud vegan, stepped onto the rooftop of his neighbour's two-story house, stick in hand to pick ackee -- a ritual that had always brought him joy. But fate had other plans.

"I went on my neighbour's two story house top and was picking from the tree with a stick. But at this moment it would appear that the high tension wire would draw the hook of the stick because it is a metal hook. The stick itself is a PVC pipe and I just started feeling shockwaves," he recalled.

The moment the current gripped him, terror flooded his mind. He fought desperately to free himself, but the invisible force would not let go.

"I knew I was getting shock and I just remember couldn't see anything because everything was white. The pipe was in my left hand and I could feel the current just entering from there and entering to my entire time. I kept trying to let go of the pipe but I couldn't and the last thing I said in my mind was that I can't believe I gave away my life like this," Singh said, his words trembling under the weight of the memory.

Then the electricity transformer exploded and hurled him across the roof. Miraculously, he remained conscious -- but he was nowhere out of the woods.

"My neighbour heard the buzzing of the current and realise that someone was on the roof. She called for help and persons came and my friend box away the stick out of my hand and I realise that up to the bone in my fingers were burned out. The fingers on my right hand melted down like candle. My feet were also badly burned," Singh said.

He was rushed to the Spanish Town Hospital before being transferred to Kingston Public Hospital (KPH), where he fought for survival over five gruelling weeks. The severity of the burns resulted in Chace having all limbs amputated.

Once an avid football player who delighted in friendly matches with friends, Singh now spends most of his time in bed, grappling with deep psychological wounds and the overwhelming challenge of adjusting to his new reality.

"I really hope I could get prosthetic legs and arms to just regain my independence. I have a GoFundMe account and I am asking anyone who can assist me to get back my mobility to help me out please. This is still fresh and I am trying to adjust but right now I spend most of my time in bed because I don't like the wheelchair," he said.

For Singh, prosthetics represent more than mobility -- they symbolise a chance to reclaim his dignity, his independence, and his life.

Singh's family has launched an appeal on GoFundMe to raise US$75,000 (approximately J$11.8 million) to assist in providing him with prosthetics, therapy services and paying medical bills.

Persons willing to help Chace Singh can reach him at 876-886-3589. Donations to support his recovery and prosthetic needs can also be made at: