MAMA
CYNTHIA
Success Stories
Many children are hidden or ostracised from the community due to their physical dysfunction or abnormalities. The EARC team have worked hard to generate awareness and a broader acceptance of disability in Mumias.
Cases that regularly arrive on the doorstep include burns contractures, cleft lip and palate, club foot, knock knees and congenital deformities. Plastic and Orthopaedic surgical rotations occur several times a year at Nyabondo Mission Hospital with local Kenyan surgeons, theatre staff and volunteers from overseas.
Below are some of the children that have been sponsored:
Cynthia
Cerebral Palsy
Cynthia was 8 years of age when her smile first captured us. She attended regular therapy at the EARC. A local workman helped to make a toilet that Cynthia could sit on in the community so her grandmother didn't have to strain her back. She also had night splints made for her hands and casting of her lower limbs to prevent contractures.
Cynthia is thriving at the local Rise and Shine School for children with disabilities. It is lovely to catch up with Cynthia and her grandmother each trip and see her grow. We hope to continue to support Cynthia through her education.
Vivian
Burns contracture release
Vivian sustained burns to her right leg from boiling water. We met Vivian at 5 years of age, she was unable to walk. She first received corrective surgery to release her contracture in 2015. Vivian is one of six children, she was not attending school. Since her surgery we have sponsored her school fees to attend Rise and Shine School. Thank you to Bernarda from RMH who sponsored Vivian's surgery.
In 2019 the contracture was re-released with follow up rehabilitation, splinting and an height adjusted shoe arranged on discharge to her aunts house. We are hopeful the result will be maintained and Vivian will continue to walk. In 2021, we aim for her to transfer to a mainstream school.
Zatuni
Burns contracture release
Zatuni was just three months of age when she was badly burnt by her mattress catching a light. She underwent surgery with skin grafts to treat the infections on her head in 2011. In October 2015, Zatuni had corrective surgery to her left arm to release her wrist and hand contracture.
With thanks, Zatuni's surgery was sponsored by Jen at Melbourne Hand Therapy.
Hidaya
Burns contracture release
Hidaya's Mama Wonisha now a single mother of 3 children, sought help from the EARC. Hidaya at 18 months of age underwent surgical release of her left wrist contracture that was reportedly sustained at 3 weeks of age with boiling water. We hear that Hidaya is recovering very well. We hope to add some more recent follow-up photos of Hidaya shortly.
Thank you Caitlin at Royal Melbourne for sponsoring little Hidaya.
Dalmas
Ear reconstruction
Dalmas at 9 years of age is a beautiful young boy that attended with his Mama Sarah. They were familiar with the process after having right wrist surgery. This time he underwent an impressive and delicate reconstruction of his right ear. Martin informs us he has been using his silicone and that he has recovered very well. We hope to add some more recent follow-up photos of Dalmas's new ear shortly.
Thank you for generously sponsoring Dalamas, Bernarda from the Royal Melbourne.
Julia
Burns contracture release
Julia is a 14 year old girl who was severely burnt when a paraffin lamp set fire to her mosquito net whilst studying. She sustained a burns contracture to the right side of her neck, left elbow and axilla. Priority was to release her elbow because it was the most debilitating for her. She recovered well from the surgery in 2010 and went on to have sucessful neck surgery as well.
It is children like Julia that inspire us to introduce safe solar lights for study.
Julia's pre-surgical burns contracture
Lilian
Burns contracture release
Lilian is a 30 year old mother who sustained severe burns contracture to her right elbow and left hand. Her right elbow was released in 2010 which will provide her with far greater function to look after her child independently. Her left hand was splinted to prevent further contracture and she will be a candidate for further surgery.
Sasha
Amniotic band release
Sasha is a gorgeous 18 month year old girl who has amniotic band deformities of her right leg, and left hand. She underwent surgery to release the band on her right leg 2010 and will return to Nyabondo for surgery on her left hand. Mama Sasha was so happy that she bought a bucket of eggs to our follow-up appointment.
Regan
Right club foot correction
Regan at 12 years of age attended Shibinga Primary, he underwent a third procedure to achieve better correction to assist with pain and mobilisation of his right club foot. He is shown riding on a ‘piki piki’ home from his check-up.
Wycliff
Knock knees correction - genu valgum
Wycliff is pre-school age, he underwent surgery to his left leg to correct his knock knee. This will help him to walk pain free.
David
Right club foot correction
David is in preschool in Khalaba. He has had surgery to correct his right club foot. After he comes out of his cast, he will require further therapy and ankle foot orthoses for support.
Kim Bil
Bow legs - Genu Varum
Young 2 year old Kim Bil has severe genu varum. Martin and Lucy (4th year OT student) have fabricated correction mermaid splints for him to wear.
He will go for a surgical review down the track. However the splints will continue to be remoulded to provide some correction and prevent further deformity.
