Boy struck by train struggles at home

HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) - Climbing up and down the stairs of his home is a hurdle a Hampton boy has to overcome on a daily basis since losing his leg in a train accident.

Jahmee Harris' leg was severed November 2012 on Bellwood Road in Newport News. The 11-year-old spent weeks in the hospital, going through more than two dozen surgeries.

Now, Jahmee is trying to adjust to daily life, but has a tough time getting from the first floor to the second floor of his family's apartment at Lincoln Park, owned by the Hampton Redevelpment and Housing Authority.

"It's beyond frustrating, because I'm the one that has to see him scoot up and down the stairs," Jahmee's mother Moishy James said. "Once he reaches the top of the stairs, I need to help pick him up off the floor to get to the walker to get to his room."

Jahmee downplayed the tough time he has crawling up and down the stairs.

"[I crawl down if] I have to go to school or we are leaving somewhere, but if I don't have anything to do, I just stay upstairs," Jahmee said.

James asked HRHA to allow her family to move to a different apartment to better accommodate Jahmee's disability.

"[We asked for] a handicap-accessible apartment," James told 10 On Your Side. "Something with extra bars. If they didn't have a single-level, maybe just extra bars."

The bars would be used to help Jahmee get around the home.

Lincoln Park only has three 3-bedroom single-story units, all currently filled. Jahmee's family was put on a waiting list, but James said weeks later, there hasn't been any change.

10 On Your Side contacted Ron Jackson, the executive director of the HRHA.

Jackson told WAVY.com he was sorry the request was taking so long and that the HRHA is looking into options for the family. One move could be moving Jahmee and his family to a handicap-friendly unit at nearby Shell Gardens.

"Hopefully something good will come out of it sooner or later," James said. "He won't be just stuck on one level or stuck in one spot. That would mean a lot."