Members of our team in Kazakhstan, in partnership with others in Almaty, have been using their occupational therapy and caring skills with people with disabilities, conducting basic rehab with them in their homes. Frequently travelling to the outskirts of Almaty and further afield into neighboring villages, our team visits children with cerebral palsy, as well as adults with spinal cord injuries or amputations, all of whom have limited or no access to rehabilitative care.
Rose fell from a building ten years ago and sustained a spinal cord injury. She is a single mother with a 10 year old son. She lives on a meager disability pension in an apartment provided by the government. 10 years post-injury, Rose has made incredible progress since beginning therapy. Now that she sees the difference that appropriate exercises are making to her life, she wishes that she had had access to these physical rehabilitation opportunities earlier.
Rose’s dream is to be able to walk again. Operation Mercy recently helped arrange for a pair of knee braces and ankle-foot orthoses for her. With these supports and continued therapy, Rose should be able to begin reacquiring the necessary strength and skills. With the aid of a walking frame, and later on, crutches, one day Rose should be able to achieve her dream!
