Livingston Scott, Star Writer

Nearly two years after a life-threatening fall during a routine cheerleading jump, former national tae kwon do representative, Oshane Murray, has made little progress walking again.

Murray, a University of Technology (UTech) engineering student, injured his spine during a gymnastics manoeuvre at a team cheerleading practice at the institution in January 2013.

The incident left the youngster paralysed, but now, the former national number two-ranked fighter has come to terms with the severity of his injury and remains in high spirits.

He has rediscovered his once-vibrant and comical nature and has his sights set on completing his studies when he returns to school next school year.

"I am not thinking about if I can walk or not. I am thinking about what I can do in the position I am now.

I just don't know how to give up and to accept defeat and I think it has to do with my will," he said

Murray toldStar Sports that he believes this is a test, he blames no one for what happened, and he is mentally prepared for a future in a wheelchair.

"I am still positive. I have no regrets. I don't want to fail, so I have no regrets. I still have my goals to pursue, so this only slowed me down," she said.

Although he is still unable to walk, he has the use of his arms, but is slowly regaining movement in his hands and fingers.

"I used to training seven days a week," Murray said. "After the injury not having (anything) to do apart from physio was frustrating."

Murray said he is now able to sit up without passing out, which he was unable to do when he was first injured.

"I can sit up on my own using my hands. I can do push ups. I lift weights. I can transfer from the bed to the chair and back and do very minor stuff. So I am much stronger than I was," he explained.

Murray, who is still a registered UTech student, plans to resume his studies in 2015.

"There is nothing wrong with my head and next year I will prove that when I restart my studies, as my next goal is to finish," he said.

Meanwhile, Jamaica Taekwondo Association (JTA) director, Jason McKay, said the association has plans to send Murray to Cuba for treatment although other complications have constantly delayed.

"He has some ulcers that keep breaking out on his skin and as one heals, another breaks out. He goes to the physio two times a week, and they predict that it is still possible for him to walk again, but with a lot of work," stated McKay.

"It is not really a cost issue. We had to do a series of operations, even to get him to breathe because the spine also affects his breathing, but we are still optimistic he will walk again," he added.

Murray in the meantime, although hopeful, believes that there are positive role models who spent their lives in a wheelchair, and knows that he can still be a positive force.

"I can achieve while in a wheelchair, as there are many famous persons who have made a huge impact around the world, so I have no doubt (in self)," he said