Barbados Today

ST JOHN’S –– Teenaged burn victim Shaveesa Gasper is on the road to recovery in a Paris hospital. That’s according to Zahra Airall who is the spokesperson for Shaveesa’s family. Airall says the 15-year-old had her final surgery about two weeks ago.

“She had to get both arms grafted, her stomach, her chest and her neck and she is doing great. She’s still going through the healing process and is still in the incubator, but the tube has been removed. They’ve brought her out of a coma, so she is talking; she is eating on her own.

“I know last week her dad said she was able to sit up on her own as well, but she told the persons up there she does not intend to stay in their hospital long, so our girl still has that fighter spirit and missing home ,and is very grateful to everyone who has assisted with donations or made contributions.”

On New Year’s Day, the teen was severely burnt about the body after she was set on fire, reportedly by her mother.

She was flown to Paris because Mount St John’s Medical Centre could not provide adequate treatment.

Shaveesa is a student at Antigua Girls’ High School which is celebrating its 130th anniversary.

Airall who teaches at the school says a High Tea will be held on Sunday to raise funds for Shaveesa and the institution.

“It’s going to be an Auction Gasper, so walk with your purses and your cheque books as well; so what we will be doing is having an auction with art pieces, craft pieces and cricket paraphernalia; and the sales from this auction will go directly towards Shaveesa.”