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Encarnacion Lira

On Wednesday, June 26th the Honduran Patient Referral team arrived in Santa Maria where they stopped at a pulperia (small basic store) to meet the newest case. When Encarnacion arrived, the team was completely surprised to see he had biked there. Encarnacion, a 56-year old man, lost his left leg in an accident 12 years ago, so to see him arrive on a bicycle was incredible.

 

Encarnacion.jpgWhen Dr. Bruce asked Encarnacion if we could go to his house to meet he shook his head sadly and told us that he doesn’t have a home, that he has to stay with friends.  He then offered to go to a friend’s house so we could discuss his healthcare there.

 

When we arrived at Mercedes’ house we learned a bit more about Encarnacion and his story. He is unable to work because of his leg and therefore has no source of income. He relies on his friends because he does not have any family to support him.

 

The Patient Referral Team worked with an organization called Limbs for Life Foundation based in the United States.  Limbs for Life graciously donated parts of a prosthetic leg and supplies to Encarnacion.  The donation was brought to Honduras by UC Irvine's Medical Brigade at the end of March.   The Patient Referral team will be taking Encarnacion to visit a prosthetist to properly fit his new prosthetic leg and purchase the remaining parts!

 

The funds raised for this patient will allow Global Brigades to take him to and from his community for several visits to the hospital to have him fitted for his prosthetic leg. Encarnacion is a resilient and wonderful person and we cannot wait to bring him the change that he needs and deserves.

 

UPDATE: On Thursday, May 8th, Encarnacion was brought to the prosthetist for the fitting of his prosthetic leg!  He is now learning with physical therapy how to walk with his new leg!

 

 

 

 

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Thank you to everyone involved that helped Encarnacion, especially the Limbs for Life Foundation!!

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If you would like to know more about this case or want to get further involved,

please contact Grace Goryoka at grace.goryoka@globalbrigades.org