It’s sometimes remarkable how resilient people can be. Circumstances aren’t always ideal, yet they find a way to keep going and make the most of life. That’s certainly true for this 16-year-old mother. She has a beautiful son, almost one year old: Nurul Islam. Together with his father, she traveled several hours to Chattogram in search of help. By CNG (tuk-tuk), the three of them made their way to the hospital for the pre-clinic and later for surgery on February 9.
Nurul was born with a cleft palate. It’s not a simple procedure, but recovery is usually quick. He will need continued support with speech development, but otherwise nothing stands in his way of growing up with the same opportunities as the children and friends around him.
Mim Akter is a cheerful young woman. You can immediately see that something is wrong with her neck—yet her personality shines through. A tight, shortened neck muscle caused her to tilt and gradually develop deformities during her growth. When I spoke with dr. George about Mim, he said simply, “We released the muscle—that’s it.” It sounds straightforward, but the impact is significant. Other muscles can take over, though she will need some exercises in the coming weeks. Right after her surgery, Agnes began working with her on those first movements. A new posture. A new beginning.
Aysha Alifa had previously been treated for her cleft palate and was seen again by our surgeons during this mission. A revision was necessary, and of course, she received the care she needed. She is truly a sweetheart and handles every step like a hero. Her gentle smile simply melts your heart. She knows exactly what to expect. Unfortunately, she felt quite nauseous after surgery, and that lasted for a while. We secretly enjoyed having her stay a little longer—but of course, we understand she would much rather be back home.
And then there is the “walk-in.” A walk-in patient is someone who comes forward after the pre-clinic has already taken place. Normally, schedules are set and patients are called in based on the pre-clinic assessments. For a walk-in, the medical team quickly evaluates whether surgery is still possible.
In this case, it was Shimon Tripula. He and his parents traveled from far away. Despite extensive communication by the Rotary Club of Agrabad, not everyone hears about the mission in time. Thankfully, we are familiar with the walk-in concept. After an intake evaluation by Dr. Hootan, preparations were immediately made to give Shimon’s young life a positive turn. His start may have been a bit delayed, but as of today, the cards have been reshuffled—opening the door to equal opportunities and a brighter future. 💙
