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| First attempt at wearing the prosthetic arm |
This is Paul. Nearly two months ago, Paul and his father
were in a terrible car accident. Paul’s dad had just a few minor cuts and
bruises, but’s Paul’s injuries were much more severe. He had multiple cuts on
his face and scalp, an open fracture of his right ankle (broken bones and
joints were exposed, skin and muscle shredded over the fracture), and a rather gruesome traumatic amputation of his left arm just below his
elbow. When Paul arrived at Mukinge in the middle of the night, he was
immediately taken to the operating room (theatre) where we worked to place
IV’s, assessed him for injuries to his internal organs, sewed up the cuts on his
face and scalp, washed the dirt and grass from the open wounds on his leg and arm,
and completed the amputation of his left arm. Since that time, Paul has been a
patient on our pediatric ward. He has
made multiple trips to the operating room to have his ankle cleaned out and
placed in a stabilizing device called an external fixator, to have a skin graft
placed over the open wound on his ankle, and to have the external fixator removed
and a plaster cast placed.
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Proper prostheses are available only in the capital city of
Lusaka. The cost of accommodations and travel to and from Lusaka, not to
mention the cost of the prosthesis makes it all but impossible for most of our
patients to go there. We aren’t even
sure if there’s anyone there who makes arm prostheses – especially for
children! One of our physiotherapists
has been working with Paul to make a prosthetic arm using materials that have
all been purchased locally. What he has come up with is pretty incredible! Over
the past week, Paul has been working on strengthening his shoulder and learning
to use his brand new arm! Only a few more modifications are left to be made,
and then Paul will be ready to be discharged home.
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| Paul trying on his cosmetic hand |
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| A double hook attachment that enables Paul to grab and hold! |
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| Paul and his parents |
Paul’s parents have remained faithfully by his side. The three of them have remained joyful and enthusiastic throughout his stay. Paul is a bright kid who has taken a special interest not only in his own care, but also in the care of the many children who have come and gone from the ward since his arrival. He has worked hard to learn how to get around using one crutch and his one good leg. He sings with the nursing staff in the mornings before rounds and plays with the other kids on the ward. In September, we helped Paul celebrate his 9th birthday.
Seeing Paul is my favorite part of each day. He is a
remarkable kid. The other day I asked Paul what he thought he might want to be
when he grows up – a teacher, a businessman, a doctor? He’s not sure yet, but
there’s no doubt that he could probably be just about anything he chooses.
We know that we treat, but Jesus is the one who heals. We are so grateful to God for sparing Paul’s
life, for healing his body, and for allowing all of us to get to know his
family through this ordeal. Thank you for praying for us here at Mukinge and
for patients like Paul.
