“When I got married at the beginning of last month, I was really ready to work and start up my own family,” says Joseph, a 42-year old man from Kenya. The newlywed and his wife recently had a baby, and were settling into their life together when Joseph had an unfortunate accident that left his right leg severely fractured.
Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), explains, “Joseph accidentally fell while descending from a public service vehicle.” While falling, his “right leg got stuck, twisted, and sustained a femur fracture.”
Joseph has previously undergone an open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) procedure to surgically realign the fractured bone using metal plates and rods. However, following his surgery “he put a lot of pressure on the plates before he was fully healed,” AMHF explains. As a result, they tell us, “last week Joseph developed severe pain and could not use the leg.”
After realizing he was unable to use the leg, Joseph returned to the hospital. Following a thorough examination, it was found that the plates from the previous ORIF were broken. To correct this issue, the ORIF must be repeated.
AMHF tells us, “Joseph used to work as a masonry doing casual jobs wherever jobs were available.” While his leg continues to heal, however, Joseph is unable to work, and his family is unable to pay for another surgery.
With $1,125, Joseph will receive a follow-up ORIF to realign his fractured femur. Steel plates will be reinserted in order to properly structure his bone regrowth. Joseph will stay in hospital for a two-week period, during which time he will receive several x-rays to ensure his safe recovery.
Following surgery, Joseph’s leg will heal fully, allowing him to get back to work. Joseph shares, “this accident has devastated my efforts and I am feeling very helpless with this new diagnosis. I hope Watsi can help me so that I can get well and start earning for my new family.”
