About ten years ago things were looking up for Chyone Harris. He was active with the Royal Bermuda Regiment, had a job as a waiter at Cambridge Beaches and was saving money with the thought of maybe heading abroad to study dance.

A traumatic spinal cord injury changed his life but not his outlook.

Chyone, 31, will receive an associate’s degree from the Bermuda College in May and is already at work on his bachelor’s.

Social work is his long-term plan, as he gets a lot of joy out of helping others.

“I had an accident back in 2015. At that time, I was 22 years old. I was really like any other young man, very energetic, motivated to do what I wanted to do as far as a career, but of course that was kind of put to the side, derailed in a sense, due to the injury that happened.

“But what I want to convey is that I remained positive. Of course, there have been many struggles and challenges that I have had to encounter since having my injury, but it hasn't prevented me from staying engaged in doing things that I enjoy or giving back in whatever way I can.

“My whole idea, even before my injury, was to in some way, shape or form, be in a position where I can give back or help make a change and that hasn’t changed.”

Chyone didn’t want to speak publicly about the fall that caused the C-4 to C-7 spinal cord injury; however, damage to any of the seven vertebrae in the neck usually involves permanent complete or partial loss of sensory function.

In Chyone’s case he was told he would never walk again.

The news wasn’t easy to hear but he was able to lean on the support he got from his mother, Kimarie Burns, his wider village and his faith.

“Coming from a close-knit community I saw the camaraderie; what it means to foster a positive environment and what it means to help,” said Chyone.

With therapy and hard work he has exceeded doctors’ expectations and can now use a wheelchair and a walker to move around.

“People who have this level of injury usually aren't able to walk. I am pushing and breaking down barriers walking with a walker, because it's a very complex and very serious injury.

“But it’s tricky when it comes to a spinal cord injury. It is permanent and that's the diagnosis. But I believe, personally, with sheer determination and just rebuilding yourself, building yourself up, it’s no telling what can happen.

“I do have hopes of one day walking [without assistance] and I know that it's possible because initially when I was injured I didn't have the mobility that I do now.

“So who knows? I feel like this is a cliffhanger, but my optimism is what makes me believe that it is possible.”

Unemployed and on financial assistance, with outstanding bills related to his injury and ongoing costs for physical and occupational therapy, Chyone looked to the future and decided to go back to school.

Scholarships covered the cost, but he had to “dig deep” into his faith to succeed.

“I’ve always felt like I had that type of mentality – to remain positive in situations that are difficult,” he said.

“I don’t know if that’s a gift but that, in conjunction with my faith and the fact that I have a strong support system – my mom and my siblings and different people who continually have been supportive – that definitely allows me to stay motivated and keep a positive mindset.”

At Bermuda College he was thrilled to meet others who felt the same way about giving back to the community.

At MenSpeak, a group led by Lyndon Jackson, a counsellor at the school, Chyone found his tribe and remains involved even though he’s no longer part of the student population.

“It’s based on brotherhood and leadership. We spoke about different topics, addressed issues, engaged in community activities. It's a positive space and it was great for individuals like myself.”

His dream is to make a career out of “helping others in the community” and he chose to study psychology with that end in view.

“It was really a journey for me to step out of my comfort zone, to be reintegrated back into society, to be an inspiration to others and let them know that even if they face adversity such as a life-altering situation such as mine, it doesn't mean that you have to stop pursuing your dreams.

“I don't want to make it seem like it was a walk in the park, there have been some struggles and even now I have challenges. But the way I overcome them is by helping others and being that support for others. It fuels me to be able to keep going.”