As I have said before, I am not allowed to take pictures when in the hospital. There are countless moments I wish I could photograph to capture a smile, a first step, a dance party, you name it. But it's not only a patient privacy thing (like any hospital) but our communications team has to approve all photos before they are posted to the world. Thankfully, they come around often and I can get some of those special moments captured. The communications team followed one of my patients last field service closely and recently released her photos. I saved the ones I am in as well as a few that help tell her story. Enjoy!
Baindu came from a small town in Sierra Leone a few hours away from Freetown (the capitol where the ship is docked). Everyone under the age of 18 needs to bring a caregiver with them and for her it was her "Grannie". While it may obvious that one leg was bowed, both actually were and would need surgery.
Before her surgery was done I met a quiet, reserved Baindu. Her eyes were questioning, but she was compliant with all photos and measurements that needed to be done. I measured her knees, hips, ankles, everything! We looked at her posture, how long she could stand on each foot, how she went up and down stairs and talked about her goals for the future. We prayed together for her surgery the next day.
After surgery, we started with in bed exercises, standing and then walking with a walker. It was amazing to watch how well she could walk with straight "penguin legs" in two casts!
After this she was able to walk without a walker and complete higher level balance exercises while still in casts.
Eventually the bones were healed enough, the casts were removed and we could see those beautiful straight legs! Baindu and Grannie were able to go home back to there village, Baindu go to school, and be accepted back into the community!
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