Woman seeks electric wheelchair to gain independence

Whenever 24-year-old Sudan Lawson wants to move around beyond the confines of her Kingston home, she often has to depend on someone else to push her wheelchair.
Lawson was born with congenital hemiplegia, which she said has left the muscles on the right side of her body weaker than those on her left. She also has a condition affecting her right wrist, causing it to bend inward. As a result, operating her manual wheelchair on her own is difficult. Now, Lawson is appealing to the public for help to purchase an electric wheelchair, which she said would allow her to control her movements using her stronger left hand. She was recently told that one could cost approximately $500,000.
“The most difficult part of my situation is to always have to depend on someone to do something for me,” she told THE STAR. 
For Lawson, greater mobility could also bring her closer to another goal – returning to the workforce. The Mona High School graduate sat seven CSEC subjects and obtained five, including English. In 2021, she enrolled in an empowerment programme for persons with disabilities through HEART/NSTA Trust and later gained work experience as a filing clerk and receptionist in the Stimulation Programme.
“I would really like to find employment, especially being a data entry clerk or a receptionist, because I have experience in them,” she said. However, Lawson believes her disability and the lack of wheelchair accessibility at some workplaces have significantly limited her employment opportunities. But her ambitions do not end with clerical work.
“My aspiration is to become an entrepreneur. I love business. I am so interested in business, in finance, and also I would like to be a real estate investor,” Lawson said. But, for now, much of her daily life remains confined to her home.
“I would love to go outside, like on the road, if I’m going to do anything. I am not walking, so I don’t leave my house if I don’t have a good reason,” she said.
In June, Lawson said she and her grandmother received a house through the Poor Relief Department. Her grandmother has not yet moved into the home, so Lawson currently lives there alone. An aunt resides in another house in the same tenement yard, and other residents sometimes assist her. That help, however, is not always readily available.
“It is limited because it is mostly kids and most times the adults are gone to work, and this is why I want to be more independent in doing stuff for myself and moving about,” Lawson said.
Her father, who lives nearby, and her grandmother, currently provide for her basic needs, while she also receives assistance through Poor Relief. Lawson said she has never met her mother.
As she approaches her 25th birthday, Lawson said her desire to become more self-sufficient has become even stronger.
“I feel as if I would like to walk. That is my ultimate dream, especially now,” she said. “I will be turning 25 this year and I can barely do anything for myself.”
Throughout her life, Lawson attempted to build her independence, including trying to stand when carrying out some daily activities, including using the bathroom.
Lawson said she previously attended physiotherapy and believes resuming treatment could improve her strength and ability to perform everyday tasks independently.
“Physiotherapy would help my muscles and also my hand, so that I can stand on my own, go into a chair on my own, use [a] manual wheelchair on my own. It would help me in a very great way,” she said.
She remains hopeful that medical intervention, rehabilitation and her faith could one day help her achieve her ultimate dream of walking. For now, however, the electric wheelchair represents a more immediate possibility.
“Using an electric wheelchair, I could be able to drive where I want to go,” Lawson said. “I would be able to do my daily routine more easily and more independently.”

Persons wishing to assist Sudan Lawson may contact her at 876-487-3199.