Going global: CoRSU in Uganda - part II

Miracle is a happy little boy living a normal life after both his legs were amputated and he received his first set of prosthetic legs (picture courtesy of CoRSU).
Miracle is a happy little boy living a normal life after both his legs were amputated and he received his first set of prosthetic legs (picture courtesy of CoRSU).

No Child Left Behind

Welcome to part II of our Special on the Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services in Uganda (CoRSU) Hospital in Entebbe. Today you meet a little boy named Miracle. One of the many patients who benefited from the great services that the CoRSU team offers. Having access to a police like CoRSU is often the deciding factor between a life in dignity, fully integrated into society and a life on the margins of the community, excluded and dependent on others.

 

Miracle, A Happy Boy Living A Normal Life

Miracle is the 5th child in his family. He was born at seven and half months with a bilateral clubfoot. When he was seven weeks old, miracle was referred to CoRSU Hospital to correct his birth defect.

 

While at CoRSU, Miracle was diagnosed with tibial hemimelia  (a condition of not having both bones from the knee to the ankle). The doctor advised the family to wait for at least four more months and then return for review. So the parents waited as told. When they returned for another assessment, it was confirmed that Miracle needed an amputation. His first limb was amputated at his first birthday; the other three months later.  

 

At one year and eight months, Miracle received his first artificial limbs and a series of physiotherapy sessions to help him with his mobility. Today Miracle is three years old. As he is able to walk and play with his peers, Miracle is a happy boy. His siblings, neighbours and friends love him.

 

‘’I’m happy and give testimony that disability is not inability,’’ said his mother. She is grateful to CoRSU because from their very first visit, they received a lot of encouragement from the doctors and physiotherapy team. 

 

 

Guest post by the team from CoRSU Hospital in Uganda. If you want to learn more about them and their incredible work, check out their homepage or follow them on Facebook or Youtube.

 

Further Reading

CoRSU Special - Part III

 

Today I want you to meet Kaweesa Moses, a prosthetist and orthotist. He chose this professional as a result of wanting to help his brother to walk again. While unfortunately Moses was never able to fulfill his promise to his brother, he helped thousands of others. read more

CoRSU Special - Part IV

 

The physical limitations that often go hand in hand with an amputation are only one aspect of living with a disability. Stigmatization and social exclusion are other aspects that need to be overcome. CoRSU is working with a wholistic approach to assist people with disabilities to fully participate in all the activities of their communities and live a life in dignity.  Read Jimmy's story, who suffered an amputation after osteomyelitis, but now leads the life of a happy teenager. read more

CoRSU Special - Part V

 

Angela is a trained nurse from London who first visited Uganda in 2010. Struck by the need for proper and accessible health care she encountered, Angela visited CoRSU and was amazed by the comprehensiveness of the services offered, the quality of the hospital and the humane touch from the staff towards the children. Soon she volunteered with them. read more