Joanne Larson (Nippagon, ON) was invited by Mr. S.K. Kaushik, the person in-charge of polio in the area to visit the home of the latest identifed polio victim - 14 year old Igbal and a 2 year old Sakil Khan, sons of Zahid Hussain and Hussan Buseri. She along with several other members of our Rotary Team went to the home.
Igbal simply sat in a chair. Joanne passed him a crayon which he just rolled in his hand. She asked if pictures could be taken of the boy. They removed the blanket covering his lower body so we could see his legs.
One of the Rotarians quietly said this boy needs a wheelchair - immediately, the polio workers said he needs a commode more. For the child to use the bathroom, he has to be carried outside.
The Rotarians immediately told the family they would get a commode and a wheelchair. The wheelchair would allow his to be wheeled out and see the village - see the shops, see things - interact with people. Now he only sits in the chair - all day long - no stimulation whatever. As one Rotarian said, this would give him some dignity
It is uncertain if this young man has mental issues or not because he has never had stimulation of any kind. He just sits.
The team members were told the latest victim, the 2 year old, was coming. The man carried the boy into the house. Joanne asked his name, was shown the leg and the young boy cried.
The family said they need more medical visits. The doctor comes to the village once per week as he has 15,000 people under his care in a large number of different villages. There is no doctor in this village.
The family wanted the boy to have surgery but were told that a doctor needs to say so. If he does, Rotary will ensure the required surgery is performed.
Shirley McCaughey gets on her bus and tells the story. Immediate people started giving money.
At the farm, Joanne and Shirley ask Sanjiv to buy the commode and wheelchair.
On February 11, we returned to the farm for lunch to find the commode and wheelchair were there.
February 12, a selected number of the team, including all the young team members went to the home of the boy and delivered the commode and wheelchair. The family were elated.
With the money collected from team members, we have a good head start on the funding to perform the surgery. A doctor has committed to conduct a full exam of both children and recommend what should be done. He is convince that a simple surgery will correct the badly turned foot of the youngest boy.
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This is what Rotary is all about. Someone saw a need, quietly went about finding a way to make it happen and did it. This story has had a huge impact on every one of our team. This is exactly why we are Rotarians - Service Above Self - To Make Dreams Come True. I am so proud to be a Rotarian after contributing and being part of this story - and there are so many more just like it.
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