Shafayat is three and a half years old and was born with a unilateral cleft lip.
Fahid arrived in our clinic on our first day of operations at the Park View Medical College and Hospital. He exhibited the scars and disfigurement resulting from severe burns. Many of us in the clinic were overcome with emotions as we saw him and considered what his life was like. The scarring on his chest and neck had pulled his jaw and lower lip down over time as burned skin is inflexible and does not stretch and grow as a child does. Both of his hands had also become contorted and barely usable.
Three years ago, Fahid had been studying by the light of a small kerosene lamp when it exploded, severely burning him. He spent the next thirteen months in the hospital and was sent home, but the treatment he received failed to improve his quality of life. His family was told to take him to a hospital in Dhaka, but they had no money to pay for treatment or additional surgeries, then they heard about the Rotaplast mission sponsored by the Portsmouth Rotary Club and hosted by the Jalalabad Rotary Club.
Fahid was brought to our clinic by his father Mohamed Rahman and his brother. Through an interpreter, he told us that his son loves to play cricket with his friends and hopes that this surgery, known as a release, will allow him to speak again. He hopes that future surgeries will return some use of his hands.
In his time here with us, Fahid has inspired us with his strength and determination. Assistant Mission Director, Ted Alex and Ward Coordinator Barbara Miller went shopping in the local street market to buy him a new outfit and Lead Pediatrician, Bryan Stamm gave him a soccer ball. Fahid was visibly moved and managed a sincere “Thank You” which brought tears to our eyes.