Adult Surgeries

Occasionally, we are introduced to a young adult who needs surgery to combat a life threatening situation or to change their physical deformity to the point that their productivity in life is restored.

Usually these young adults are between the ages of 18 to 35 years old. Their average income or that of their family is not more than $50 USD per month. Without our help they would never be able to pay for the needed surgery on their own. It is a joy to see their lives changed.

A recent example of helping with adult surgeries in 2010 is tied to a burn patient we have known for some years now.  At the age of 7  he was burned tragically over a large percentage of his body after a farming accident.

The Red Cross did much to help this young man with his initial surgeries.  As he has grown from a boy to now being 19 he has required additional surgeries to assist with scar tissue that will not stretch and grow as the young man grows.  This causes restriction in his range of movement.  This year will be the third opportunity we have had to help him regain freedom in his movement.  This year he was unable to close his eyes completely and had restricted movement of his arm and his neck due to scar tissue.

Through the generosity of our partners he is now in the process of being scheduled for surgery to release the  movement in his neck and arm and allow him to close his eyes completely.  He is a thankful young man who has faced life with much courage and continues to move forward not allowing his tragedy to keep him down.   Due to living below poverty he would have found it extremely difficult to get the money required to have these surgeries.