Juan Loses and Injures His Hands
Juan lives in the Yungas making it difficult to maintain contact, which is why we at Bolivians Without Disabilities could proceed to his donation only recently. Here is his story:
From his childhood, Juan remembers that his father was very strict and controlled him and his brother a lot. Despite this, life was simple and fun for him, as he did not have much responsibility.
However, as Juan grew up, he realized how complicated life was:
“I did not imagine that a confrontation in the Yungas was going to cause me this accident.”
– Juan
Juan was 42 years old and a father of six when he was the victim of a dynamite attack during the political conflicts of 2019 that caused him the loss of his left hand and three fingers of the right hand. Juan used to work as a bricklayer, carpenter, and plumber, so he was familiar with dynamites and even remembers holding it in his hands.
“Now that I lost my limb and some fingers of the other hand it is not the same, I have a job as a janitor but it is not the same. I was a very hardworking person, I liked what I did.“
– Juan
When we at Bolivians Without Disabilities first met him, his only income came from coca leaves production (for traditional consumption). Now, he works as a doorman. It does not pay well but the money helps him to have at least something to eat.
In the evaluation of economic vulnerability, he scores 72. Therefore, he does not have the means to finance the prostheses he needs. His wife takes care of the children and of the household. Touched by his story and by the courage he has shown to his community, we at Bolivians Without Disabilities, wanted to give him our support and respond to the call of his family to provide him with the solution he needed.
After an evaluation, we decided to grant him 1 forearm. He received his prosthesis from Creo Tec on June, 2021. Here are his own words:
“I am very happy for the prosthesis, I have a soccer championship coming soon and I will go to show it off, thanks Creotec for the prosthesis and to the sponsors (BWD) who helped with the donation of this prosthesis.”
– Juan
He now wishes to set up his own business. Juan says that having a new hand will change him physically and emotionally. He is optimistic and convinced that with practice, he will be able to do activities that he has not been able to do for a long time.
(Please note that the patient’s name has been changed)
If you would like to help more Bolivian amputees like this one, then please donate now.
