Five years after surviving a horrific gun attack that left him without both legs, Adisa Alexander is now slowly rebuilding his life. Alexander was shot 33 times with high-powered weapons on October 13, 2020, in Tavern, St Andrew, after stopping at a shop to escape a heavy downpour near his Gordon Town home. The brutal attack left him with devastating injuries to his legs, hands and back. But, after years of surgeries, hospital stays and heartbreak, including the death of his mother and primary caregiver in 2023, Alexander says he is finally beginning to reclaim his independence. “I am at a good place physically and spiritually. My faith is higher than a lot of people and I am doing really well emotionally and I just have to give God all the credit for everything,” he said. For years after the shooting, the father of three spent much of his time lying on his back inside his one-bedroom home, dependent on others for his basic needs. But another operation last year changed his outlook. Alexander is now able to move around in his wheelchair and is determined to become self-sufficient again. His latest project is turning a skill from his construction days into a possible source of income by making concrete balusters. “I haven’t start selling them as yet but I have already made about 25. I want to make about 200 and I approach hardwares and find out if they will be interested in buying them. I use to do construction work so I am just putting that skill to use now as I want to earn so I can take care of my children. Most of the times I can’t spend unless someone gives me a dollar, so I want to start making back my own money again. I would love some materials like wire and cement though” he said. Alexander has also been finding his way back into the kitchen, where he is once again preparing meals for his children. “I cook outside for them and, just the other day, the little one asked me make coconut drops for them and I did and I feel really good. I make taco for them and, in the week, I fry fish for them. I feel good I am able to do these type of things for them because I want to be active in my daughters’ life, no matter the circumstances,” he said. For Alexander, even the simple act of leaving his home has become a major milestone. “Is five months now since I am coming out a door. This time last year, I was hospitalised, so it’s a blessing. My body is healing really well and I just have to give God thanks that I am getting stronger every day. I am hoping that, very soon, I will be able to get two prosthetic legs so I can get back on my feet and be even more independent,” Alexander added.