“IT has been rough. Where does a person even start?”

Those were the heartfelt words of an emotionally exhausted mother, Bernadette Peterson, after her son, Joshua, was left paralysed following a stabbing incident in school.

Although the perpetrator has been sentenced, Joshua’s parents said the five-year sentence is nothing, as he could be released in as little as two years while their son faces a lifetime of disability.

“This is a life sentence for him,” said his father, Trevor.

Also read: Mother outraged after teen who paralysed son gets five years

Joshua had no idea that when he left home for school, he would only return months later, paralysed.

The 18-year-old was stabbed three times by another learner at West Ridge High School in January last year. He spent five months in hospital and now relies on a urinary catheter and drainage bag. His family had to bring in a hospital bed to accommodate his condition and height, but the bed is now almost broken.

Adding to their frustration, the family said they received no feedback from the Department of Education.

“Not even once have they come to see my child,” said the mother.

The family’s Mariannridge home is situated on elevated ground, with a long staircase leading up to it, making it extremely difficult to move Joshua.

“Moving him requires multiple people. It is a challenge. He has not been to his appointments for the past four months because the steps are too dangerous. Some of them are broken, and we’re scared we’ll drop him. He has also become heavier,” said Bernadette, who had to leave both of her jobs to care for her son full-time.

Trevor has also resigned from his job to help look after Joshua.

“It is a full-time job. Gift of the Givers gave us a wheelchair, but his upper body is weak. He needs an electric wheelchair,” he said.

Because Joshua has missed several medical appointments, the family’s hopes of securing an electric wheelchair are fading. They said they were previously told that, after three months of attending appointments, efforts would be made to find a donor to sponsor one.

“I hope they could come to our house. Our situation is really bad,” said Bernadette.

Also read: Watch: Teen paralysed after school stabbing

Trevor said the family receive support from the Mariannridge Clinic.

“They come once or twice a week. We also have other people who assist with various donations, and we are very grateful. The last newspaper article about Joshua helped a lot, and we even have a law firm assisting us with his case.”

The family’s greatest wish is to build a home on a plot they own at the bottom of the property, where Joshua would have direct access to the roadside and be able to experience the outside world.

“We have a plot at the bottom, and building a house there would help a great deal. My son has become a prisoner in his own home,” Trevor said.

Despite his physical limitations, Joshua has learnt to use a cellphone by holding a pen in his mouth to operate the touchscreen. His parents now hope he can continue his education.

“He is missing out on his education. He needs a laptop to do that. The Department should at least be assisting with that,” Bernadette said.

Despite the immense challenges they face, Joshua’s parents said their son remained determined.

“Even though it is hard and we constantly have to ask for help, it is not the end of the world,” they said.

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