You might know Jon as Pinto’s dad, as an impressive freediver, an incredible trail runner, an avid rock climber, or as the owner of Soufriere Guesthouse. You have probably seen him cutting new trails in Dominica, hiking the boiling lake in record times, building freediving platforms, fixing things around the guesthouse or freediving to great depths, without the use of a pool noodle. On the afternoon of the 10th July 2024, Jon was picking mangoes from the top of one of the mango trees at the guesthouse, something he has done hundreds of times before. Unfortunately this time, multiple branches gave way and he fell and broke his back. He was taken to the Dominica-China Friendship Hospital in Dominica where he was informed he had shattered his T11 vertebrae and sustained an injury to his spinal cord. He was told he would probably never walk again. Due to the severity of his injury and the lack of specialised staff and neurosurgical equipment, treatment in Dominica was impossible. After waiting for more than 30 long hours, in excruciating pain, he was finally evacuated to the CHU Zobda Quitman University Hospital in Martinique where the talented neurosurgeons were standing by. They operated on Jon, releasing the compression fracture and stabilising his spine. He is now healing from surgery and is waiting to be safely evacuated back to the UK to a specialised spinal injury centre, where he can receive the comprehensive care needed to regain mobility and function, and be close to family and loved ones. The next steps are critical, and the level of care he receives during this long recovery process could make the difference between him walking again or not. Unfortunately Jon was not covered by medical insurance at the time of the accident. Your generous donations will help cover the huge costs of Jon’s evacuation, specialised surgery and recovery. Together, we will give Jon the greatest shot at recovery, and hopefully one day he will bound up the trails he has come to call home, and freedive again in Soufriere Bay. And as Jon would say, "How hard can it be". With much love and appreciation, Jon, Amy and Jon's family and friends PS. We understand that not everyone may be able to contribute financially, but you can still make a meaningful impact by spreading the word about this campaign. Please share it across your social media platforms, with your friends, family, and colleagues. Together, we can amplify our efforts and extend our reach to those who have the capacity to help.
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