Learning to walk: Hamisi and his prosthesis.
What
happens when a community pulls together to help one of their own?
MOblog has followed the remarkable story of a young Tanzanian boy called
Hamisi.
Hamisi
is a young Tanzanian boy who has suffered for a long time from
Plexiform Neurofibromatosis, a disease which causes large and
restricting tumors. Hamisi developed an enormous growth on his right leg
which was incredibly heavy. Due to the weight he was unable to walk and
had to crawl on all fours and drag his heavy leg behind him. His leg
which grew to a monstrous size, weighed the young boy down, preventing
him from playing and enjoying a normal childhood.
Hamisi's leg before the operation
Hamisi
grew up in Tanzania with his father. Despite the desire, his father was
unable to afford the expensive healthcare to ease Hamisi’s suffering.
But through the kindness of others the community rallied together and
through their efforts they were able to raise enough money to send
Hamisi for an operation which would change his life forever.
In
February 2014 Hamisi and his father nervously boarded a plane bound for
Coimbatore in Southern India. It was here that he was greeted by an
expert team of plastic surgeons at Ganga Hospital who were about to
change his life.
Hamisi
underwent extensive surgery where the surgeons removed the entire leg
below the knee which weighed a staggering 5kgs. They hoped that removing
the weight would allow him to move freer and feel lighter; it will also
help his father to carry him when he is unable to walk. People
suffering from Plexiform Neurofibromatosis tend to heal slowly and there
can be complications so doctors were concerned that he may not make a
full recovery. Hamisi is obviously a fighter at heart and defied the
odds and recovered quickly and the doctors were able to remove some more
of the leg around the knee in a second operation.
Hamisi with his father and the surgeon who amputated his leg.
After
the operation Hamisi was fitted with prosthesis. Special prosthesis
was made exclusively for him; both for the amputated limb and special
shoes for the other leg but then came the hardest part. For many days he
was sent to a training centre where he had to learn to walk with a
walker. He needed very aggressive physiotherapy and walking training
but doctors knew that they were pushed for time as he had a flight
booked back to Tanzania after a couple of weeks. They worked overtime
and fast to get him fit to walk and by the time he got on a plane he
could take 30 steps with walker.
Lots of smiles from Hamisi after the operation was a success.
On the 29th
March 2014, Hamisi returned to Tanzania a changed boy. His father has
been trained in his physiotherapy so he can continue to build his
strength. Both father and son are overwhelmed and so happy with the
outcome of the operation which has made both their lives so much easier.
A few months ago Hamisi’s future looked bleak but now thanks to the
help of many people he faces a brighter, freer, independent future.
It just goes to show a little kindness can go a long way.
We,
MO Blog team, would like to express our sincere appreciation to Miss
Hoyce Temu for her outstanding support to our communities through her TV
Program “Mimi na Tanzania” Or “Me and Tanzania.” Recently, she has
mobilized our fellow Tanzanians to contribute to the treatment of a
Tanzanian boy, Hamis, who was suffering from unknown illness. Miss Hoyce
Temu you are an inspiration and your heart reflects Tanzanian spirit.
You are Tanzanian for Tanzanians.
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