Moment teen tries to sit up for first time in two years after being paralyzed by stabbing

This is the inspiring moment when a teenager more than two years old tries to sit up for the first time after an unprovoked stabbing left him paralyzed and “effectively dead for 50 minutes.”

James Bascoe-Smith, then a 16-year-old schoolboy, was left in a wheelchair after being knocked off a bicycle and repeatedly stabbed by masked men on February 23, 2021, in Brixton, South London.

He was testing a bicycle for his mother when he was attacked near his home. After being stabbed again and again, he shouted ‘call my mom, call my mom’ and then collapsed.

Last November, a court heard that James was the completely innocent victim of a gang stabbing caused by a provocative online drilling video or as tit-for-tat revenge for a previous assault.

James (pictured), then aged 16, was left in a wheelchair on February 23, 2021 after being knocked off a bicycle and repeatedly stabbed by masked men in Brixton, south London.

The trial culminated in Leon Rashid, 20, and Taiquane Lewis, 19, receiving life sentences with minimum terms of 14 years and 13 years respectively.

Six months after his assailants were brought to justice, the family of James, who said he was “basically dead for 50 minutes,” have posted inspiring footage of the teen bravely sitting up unassisted.

Posting the heartwarming images, his “proud” aunt said, “Today is a day we’ve been praying for. James tried to sit up on his own.

“From seeing James on ground zero- DEA D, looking behind a cordon, unable to hold his hand as he slipped, and then being resuscitated on the spot. Hours of surgery by multiple surgeons to repair the injuries he suffered.

“Watching James in ICU for the first 2 weeks, not responding, going into 4 more cardiac arrests while in ICU.

“

She revealed that James had to keep his chest open for nine days because doctors feared his blood pressure would get too high and cause another cardiac arrest if they closed him.

After three weeks, the family was informed by doctors that they should not expect to ever see James as he was before the savage attack and that he would be in a vegetative state as the loss of oxygen had caused significant damage.

“I remember sitting there thinking, we’ll never hear his voice again, we’ll never see his beaming smile again, we wouldn’t hear him play our favorite songs,” she added.

Leon Rashid (left), 20, of Thornton Heath, South London, and Taiquane Lewis (right), 19, Kennington, South London, each received life sentences with minimum terms of 14 years and 13 years respectively

Due to the pandemic, James was only allowed to visit one family member at a time during his stay at King’s College Hospital.

James’s aunt recalled breaking the news that he would be in a vegetative state to his mother, father, stepfather, and other relatives who were in the hospital foyer.

She added, “When I left the ward, I stood outside and froze, it just hit me, my cousin will never be the same, until then I was full of faith and hope, but hearing that broke my spirit .

How do I tell this to my family. I broke down, then I knew we had to dig deeper into our faith, pray with purpose and keep hope alive.”

She remembered going to the ward to comfort James and start playing uplifting gospel music, before coming up with “The Plan” to play songs for him and messages of support from his family.

“The one thing I will never forget of all the people who spoke to James, when I put his mother on the phone, James was crying tears, some doctors said it was just a reflex, but I knew James was still with us and just needed time to talk.

recover,” she added.

James surrounded by family and friends at the Old Bailey in November when his two attackers were convicted of conspiracy to commit murder

The court ruled that James was the completely innocent victim of a gang stabbing caused by a provocative online drilling video or as tit-for-tat revenge for a previous attack.

James’s recovery took 449 days, including 174 in a trauma hospital, “but his rehabilitation journey will be a lifetime,” his family says.

During his attacker’s trial, James said in a pre-recorded message, “I didn’t deserve this. I had no problems with anyone. I don’t know why they attacked me. I just want to know why they attacked me and if they feel bad for what they did.”

He added, “I’m thankful the doctors saved my life, but living like that is hard. I miss my friends. I miss my old life. Every day I wake up knowing this is how I will be forever.”

James’ family has launched a campaign called SitupStandup2 Knife Violence as they make desperate efforts to eradicate street violence.

They have raised nearly £70,000 to help James recover, including various types of therapy, a standing frame, a mobile lifter, an electric folding wheelchair, a shower trolley and more.

Visit the family for donations to James’ rehabilitation GoFundMe page.