July 15, 2015
Meet Chai, a very active nine-year-old boy who lives in Thailand with his parents and older brother. He and his brother attend school, and his parents are farm laborers.
Chai enjoys playing football despite being born with a malformed right leg and foot. “His right leg is stunted and significantly shorter than his left, and his foot is swollen and clubbed,” explains our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP). “He has difficulty walking, and his foot frequently becomes infected.”
BBP adds, “If left untreated, Chai will continue to suffer from infections and will likely develop hip problems in the future.”
Chai’s parents do not have enough money to pay for treatment for their son. They already find themselves sometimes needing to work extra hours or take loans from their employer to support their family.
To prevent future infections and hip joint issues, doctors recommend amputation of Chai’s right leg. $1500 will cover the cost of the surgery as well as travel to and from the hospital, inpatient pre-operative and post-operative care, and follow-up appointments.
Chai, who wants be a police officer when he grows up, looks forward to one day being able to wear shoes on both feet with a prosthetic.
Meet Chai, a very active nine-year-old boy who lives in Thailand with his parents and older brother. He and his brother attend school, and h...
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September 9, 2015
Chai received successful surgery to amputate his leg.
“Prior to surgery Chai’s foot and leg were heavy and he could not wear his fitted shoe, so he would cut his foot on stones and regularly get infections,” explains our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP). “Now he feels light and more comfortable than before. Before surgery he tried practicing with the crutches he had been given. His cousin came to visit and they both practiced using them so now he says he is ok with using them because they practiced together.”
“Chai’s mother said that life will be different now that Chai has had his surgery. She feels like she wont have to worry about him when he is outside playing,” continues BBP. “She does not have to worry because he wont get infections and can play with his brother. He will be fitted with a prosthetic after his leg is well healed.”
“My mind is peaceful now,” shares Chai’s mother. “In my heart I want so much to say thank you and that we could not have done this for ourselves. I know the surgery is expensive and we have had a gift of treatment for my son.”
"Prior to surgery Chai’s foot and leg were heavy and he could not wear his fitted shoe, so he would cut his foot on stones and regularly get...
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