Sophea is a 23-year-old construction worker from Cambodia. He lives in Banteay Mean Chey province with his three siblings and his mother, who is a rice farmer. He is the eldest child, so he has the responsibility to look after his brothers and sister, who are still students, because his father died in a traffic accident. In his free time, he enjoys playing volleyball with his friends in the village and playing games on his phone.
Three months ago, Sophea was in a motorcycle accident. His bike skidded on the loose gravel, and he was thrown onto his left side. He remembers the sharp, burning pain shooting from his neck down his arm. The nerves responsible for providing feeling and movement in his shoulder, arm, and hand have been stretched. He has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his left side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. He is unable to lift or bend his elbow. He sometimes feel pain and stiffness in his fingers. This forced him to stop working, and he can no longer earn money to support his family.
Fortunately, our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre can help. Sophea traveled to our medical partner’s care center, Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, to receive treatment. This is the only center in the whole country where this treatment is available. On December 12th, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, he hopes to use his arm again. Sophea can contribute $50, but needs help to raise $687 more to fund his procedure and care.
Sophea shared, “After the surgery I hope that I will be able to use my hand again, so I can return to my work and earn money to support my family.”