Durga's second chance

Durga is 35 and has four children. Seven years ago she fell from a tree while gathering fodder for her family's livestock, and broke her back. As a result, she was paralysed from the waist down. After her injury, Durga developed pressure sores which became infected so that both her legs had to be amputated.

'Durga's case is one of the most challenging cases of spinal cord injury that we have ever treated,' says Green Pastures Superintendent Sandra Boone. 'After much discussion we made a mould of her pelvis and from that a socket very similar to what would be used for a prosthetic limb. She puts the socket on while lying in bed and can transfer herself into her wheelchair. For the first time in years she is independently mobile in her wheelchair. I spent some time yesterday with Durga and one of her sons. He is so proud of his mum and they are both full of excitement at having this second chance in life. We plan to extend the socket in length, create a weight-bearing surface and investigate whether Durga can 'walk' with shortened crutches. If that works out she will be much more mobile around her home, and household chores will be much easier for her.'

'I feel like I have been given a second chance at life,' says Durga. 'I want to thank everyone who played a part in my treatment, and want to encourage everyone to keep up this good work.'

Please click here to help people with disabilities like Durga.

Alternatively, please click here to find out about the new INF gift catalogue which - among many other things - enables you to buy:

• Theatre time and materials for an operation at Green Pastures [US$65 / €46 / £40 / AUS$79 / NZ$97]
• Food for a day for all the patients at Green Pastures [US$136 / €96 / £83 / AUS$165 / NZ$202]
• A wheelchair [US$262 / €191 / £164 / AUS$327 / NZ$402]
• A bed for a year at Green Pastures [US$1587 / €1125 / £966 / AUS$1926 / NZ$2364]

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