Second chance at life: hundreds of PWDs benefit from prosthetic limb programme
As I watched tears of joy stream down the faces of hundreds of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) as they received free artificial limbs at a programme in Ashaiman in the Greater Accra Region, I could not help but do the same.
I found out many of them came from all 16 Regions of the country, with some travelling thousands of miles. Clearly, it was a dream come true for them, as this will improve their accessibility and quality of life.
The exercise, which started on August 18 and will end on September 2, is part of efforts by the Ghana Society of Physically Disabled (GSPD) and Ishk Tolaram Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation, to restore hope and mobility to PWDs across the country.
One such was Zuleiya Abu, a 21-year-old who received her long-awaited prosthetic leg with both tears and smiles. “I’m so happy,” she said, her voice trembling with emotion. “I can finally help my mother with household chores.”
Ms. Abu recounted the tragic incident that changed her life nearly a decade ago, when she was trapped between a bus and a bridge, resulting in the amputation of her left leg. Since then, she said her world had turned upside down. However, when she heard about the Ishk Tolaram Foundation’s initiative, she saw it as an answered prayer.
With determination, Ms. Abu travelled hundreds of miles from the Oti Region to the Greater Accra Region for screening and measurement. She had returned three months later to receive her custom-made prosthetic leg. “This is a chance to live and move freely like I did years ago,” she exclaimed! “I can now run errands, fetch water, and do things on my own. I am truly happy.”
Others who spoke with me on condition of anonymity said that until this programme, they had been confined to wheelchairs for years.
“So I can now dance when I hear good music being played. Until now, I could just move my head to appreciate the songs. I cannot wait to get to the dancing floor,” she said.
Another shared how she could now walk with her children to school and back without relying on neighbours, as had been the trend over the years.
The emotional moment was palpable as they received their prosthetic limbs, some calling their relatives and friends to share the good news with them.
The President of the Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled (GSPD), Mathew Annor Kodom, clearly overwhelmed with emotions and proud of the success of the programme, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Ishk Tolaram Foundation for their generosity.
“Devices for PWDs are expensive, and many of us cannot afford them,” he said. He disclosed that they had appealed to institutions for support, but there had not been any favourable response, and so, “I think this initiative is a beacon of hope.” The President urged the beneficiaries to take care of their prosthetic limbs and make the most of this opportunity. “It may take time to adjust, but with determination, you will master it,” he advised.
The Programme Director of the Ishk Tolaram Foundation, Neha Mehra, said the initiative which is the first in the country, was part of their philanthropic efforts, focused on healthcare and improving lives. She said they were thrilled to give individuals a new lease on life. “We plan to train local technicians to produce more limbs and appeal for support to make this possible.”
Ms Mehra was optimistic that if the Foundation had a dedicated building, they could install machines and train local technicians to produce and also fit more prosthetics in the country.
As Ms. Abu and others took their first steps with their new prosthetic legs, their eyes sparkled with hope and determination. This gesture had given them a second chance at life, and one could tell that they were ready to seize it.
They wished for the same opportunities for their colleagues.
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Other pictures:
One of the beneficiaries had arrived in a wheelchair but walked away a happy man.
Some technicians are working on some of the artificial limbs.
Some of the artificial limbs