Sophea is 15 and dominates at volleyball despite limited use of his right hand caused by severe burns. He is healthy and able to use his hand mainly because of the support of the Watsi community two months ago that funded his initial surgery. Sophea just came in for his latest follow up, and his doctors feel that with one more surgery, they can give him close to full function in his fingers.
Sophea says he is really happy now that he can hold drinks and it is much easier to take a bath on his own, but he said ‘Yes!’ right away when the doctors offered further surgery to improve mobility in his hand.
Contracture release surgery would be necessary to remove the thickened tissue bands that cause abnormal bending across the hand’s joints. This frees the tendons and joints to allow improved finger motion. This $300 surgery will drastically improve Sophea’s quality of life and may even bring his volleyball game to the next level.