News

'Miracle man' seeks compensation

Lindon Headley gets up from his wheelchair at the gates of The Gleaner Company. Headley is claiming that he did not run from his wheelchair during an accident in Cross Roads one month ago. - LEIGHTON WILLIAMS

LINDON HEADLEY WANTS money for his 'miracle'.

Headley is claiming that since THE STAR reported his 'miraculous' leap from his wheelchair in Cross Roads a month ago, his daily income has been cut in half. He is even thinking of suing for damages.

"Mi use to mek at least $1,000 but since the story come out mi get bout $300 to $500. So, mi want compensation fi da story deh because a lie di police dem a tell. Mi nuh get up an' stan up nutten," he said.

Headley, a professional beggar was seen regularly in Cross Roads, St. Andrew using his tool of trade - his wheelchair to get money from passing motorists.

As he puts it he was 'earning a living'.

But his 'business' started losing money on June 23 when a collision between two cars forced him to spring from his wheelchair for cover. The police report that he was later found crying in bushes nearby.

What has got Headley livid is that since the story he no longer takes home the income he used to. Worst yet, Headley claims he is now looked on as a con-artist as everyone believes he can walk.

Had arthritis

"A lie di police dem a tell pon mi. Mi deh pon di Caledonia side a di island a beg when mi hear a noise behind mi. When mi look roun' mi si di car a come towards mi so mi jump from di wheelchair an' roll. Mi get up an' stan up an' lean pon di car dem cause mi caan stan' up by miself," he said.

Headley said his wheelchair was damaged and it was taken to the police station while he was taken to the hospital but he was discharged the same night.

"Mi did still a beg in a Cross Roads when a STAR man seh to mi seh a you dis dem a write bout? Mi seh no an' continue begging. But, nobody nah gi mi no money an' seh mi a ginnal. People a tell mi seh fi run an' dem ting deh," he said.

Headley said that since then he has had to replace his 'money making device' as the previous one was destroyed by a utility company.

"Him a test if mi can run dats why him lick mi out a di road," he said.

Headley maintains he cannot walk or run, although, during his interview with THE STAR he stood up. He also walked but had to lean on his wheelchair. In fact, Headley's first visit to THE STAR drew a crowd as he got up from his wheelchair and threw himself to the ground as he demanded compensation.

Headley said he had arthritis in his left knee and also lost his left big toe in an accident. In addition, he said his nerves were damaged in an operation. He said all that has made him unable to walk freely.

"Mi try sell but di man dem use to rob mi so mi decide fi beg," he said.

When asked why he continued to beg while there were others in similar or even less fortunate positions who worked despite their disabilities, Headley said: "mi feel betta because mi caan move up an dung," he said.

When asked again about his decision to beg he was evasive but, he was upfront about one thing. He is determined to be compensated for the loss of his revenue and his money making instrument.

"Mi a go look a lawyer because mi waan back mi wheelchair. Mi a go sue di police an' di people dem because mi waan compensation," he said.