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Young boxer commits to support paralysed girl
Ghanaian-American juvenile boxer, Joseph Awinongya Jnr, has committed to financially supporting Paulina Anokye to undergo surgery to remove a spinal tumor which has paralysed her.
The 13-year-old Awinongya Jnr has pledged to pay Paulina’s medical bills at the Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital where she has been booked for surgery on July 22.
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Additional support
The young fighter also offered to provide Paulina with an undisclosed amount for her upkeep for the next four months after her surgery.
Paulina, a native of Kwadaso in the Ashanti Region, was diagnosed with spinal tumor at age 14 when she started experiencing numbness in her left fingers.
Lack of funds
Due to lack of money to correct the defect, she resorted to herbal treatment which further deteriorated her condition, affecting her right arm and both legs and rendering her paralysed.
Speaking to Daily Graphic in an interview, Awinongya Jnr explained how he was touched after watching the deteriorating condition of Paulina on a local online magazine show dubbed: "Common Sense Family" (CSF) on YouTube.
Reason for the gesture
The amateur boxer noted that he discussed with his father, Joseph Awinongya Snr, how to reach out to support Paulina.
“‘I showed the video to my father and he asked me to choose between getting a Play Station 5 which I so much desire to have and supporting Paulina with the funds,” Awinongya Jnr said.
“‘I chose to help Paulina and forget about the Play Station because I realised her condition could gradually take her life if not saved early,” he added.
Awinongya Jnr’s background
Awinongya Jnr is top rated in the 90lbs and 95lbs divisions in America, having won all competitions he had competed in.
Since deciding to be a boxer at age five, he has won many competitions such as three-time Silver Gloves National Champion, USA National Champion, two-time Jnr Olympic National Champion, Western Elite Qualifier National Champion, two-time St Louis National Champion, King of the Jungle National Champion, Wisconsin National Champion, and Power Gloves National Champion.