If anyone had told Giovanni Wilson that his holiday in Jamaica would lead him to 13 years of pain, he would not have caught his flight.

On September 1, 1997, he was the pillion passenger on a bike that was struck by a car and since then the former Marriott Hotel employee's condition has deteriorated from a limp to virtually no use of his legs.

For years medical practitioners seemed unable to help, but recently hope came in the form of Bermudian specialist Dr. Elwood Fox of the New England Rehabilitation Hospital of Portland, Maine, who discovered that his spine was the fault.

Mr. Wilson and his girlfriend and primary caregiver Chevonne Smith spoke to The Royal Gazette about his plight, his need to raise $100,000 for an operation, and a fundraiser he is holding tomorrow.

At the time of the accident Mr. Wilson was 23, but now aged 36, he just wants his life back. "My quality of life changed dramatically," he said of the accident.

"I wasn't originally this bad, but I was misdiagnosed for at least five years. I was still playing football ten years ago and I was still working up until five years ago.

"I went from walking with a limp, to dragging myself around on crutches and I have been slowly deteriorating ever since. I have spastic diplegia, which gives me muscle spasms and affects my nerves."

Over the years he has had three operations, one on his lower right leg, another on his left knee and a further procedure on his spine, but still his day-to-day life is filled with pain and frustration.

"I have to summon the energy just to get out of bed some days, and as my pain threshold is no less than a four, I rarely sleep more than two to three hours at a time because the pain interrupts my sleep."

To deal with the pain, he said he is on eight different prescriptions. "I try to stay calm and relaxed, because it's also a nerve condition," he explained.

Ms Smith has been with him for the past six years and she sees life for him as a continued painful effort. "From my perspective, life for him is constant pain and a struggle," she said. "Each day for him is a challenge, but through faith and prayer, the Lord pulls us through."

When asked for his reaction to the recent diagnosis, he said: "I was sceptical at first, but it gave my spirits a big lift and gave me hope.

"I would be able to walk, work and become more independent and I hope pain free. I would also like to play football again and take walks by the waterside.

"Dr. Fox is going to do a spinal tap and if that works than he'll insert a Baclofen Pump (medicine dispenser). It is supposed to send the medicine right to my spine, so that it can ease up the tension, the tightness and the stiffness and pain.

"It'll be a muscle relaxant, so hopefully it will allow me to get my walking gait back, because right now I can't even do the walking motion.

"But even after the operation I will still have to get therapy and I'll hopefully be walking at least with a cane and my pain should be significantly less."

For Ms Smith she said "there would be more smiles and less stress".

"I would be very grateful to see Giovanni walk again and have his independence back. Giovanni is a very strong minded individual. He could have been in a wheelchair a long time ago, but through determination and faith, he is still standing."

Mr. Wilson says what has kept him going has been his relationship with a higher power and his recommendation for anyone in a similar position was simply to pray.

"Never give up and pray some more, because nobody else can do it for you and remember this, God, grant me the serenity: To accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can; And wisdom to know the difference."

The fundraiser is for loved ones, friends and people in the community to come together and raise funds for Mr. Wilson's operation.

"There will be two Co-Ed football matches at BAA Field on Thursday starting at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. Admission will be $15, which includes food and music at Mid Atlantic Boat and Sports Club from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. following the matches.

"I am aiming to raise all of it, but will be very grateful for any amount we raise. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their time, generous donations and prayers with special thanks to Kennika Woolridge, Renée Smith and Milique Fubler."

For more information email peaches@northrock.bm. To donate the account number is Bank of Butterfield 20030060240450200.