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Other entries in Vientiane

Santar

His story begins in November last year in Muang Sung but this is the story that appears in the exhibition..........

Santar's father called him to cross the road, as he is deaf his father didn't hear the truck coming and Santar, keen to obey ran into the road. He lost his right leg and his left leg healed badly. He returned home to a village of 4 houses on a hill overlooking a valley 12 kms from Muang Sing. There he stayed for 2 years until January 2007. His left Foot was fixed, pointing down so that he could not stand on it. He was confined to his house with no idea that outside his small world there was help available.

Through contacts in Muang Sing that work for Health Frontiers we were asked to see a family in another village who were trying to find help for their son who had lost a leg. They told us about another boy that they had heard about, all they knew was that a trekking guide who worked in the town might know where he lived. The directions were vague but eventually we arrived at the village. Santar was sitting on a small wooden stool. His younger brother was wearing a traditional Yao hat and sat silently on his grandmothers knee. We stared at each other for a while.

 I took these 2 pictures. Santar stared at the floor while discussions continued about what could be done. The family agreed to send Santar and his sister to Vientiane. They made the 26 hour bus journey together. Also on the bus were Seng and his Father. It was Sengs family that had told us about Santar. The 2 boys became firm friends and gradually a sparkle began to return to Santars eyes.

Sometimes simple plaster of paris casting can gradually move a foot into a better position but after 2 years it wasn't possible to change the position so surgery was required. During the few weeks that casting was tried Santar's cast had a metal bar fitted and a prosthetic leg was made. He was weak from his immobility so he needed to begin physiotherapy immediately. Some surgeons were visiting from the US and UK to train local surgeons in more complex orthopaedic cases. Local surgeons carried out the surgery, his achilles tendon was cut and another tendon was moved to keep the foot in a position that would be able to take his weight. After surgery he was in a cast for 6 weeks. The cast came off and with a support fitted Santar was able to stand again. The prosthetic leg was adjusted, Santar was determined to master walking with it. Santar practiced in parallel bars relentlessly and was soon walking slowly with crutches and then after a weekend of practice he proudly showed how he could stand and walk without support. Soon he was swimming, jumping into the water and his confidence grew.

And what about Seng? He did receive a new leg and returned home but sadly with devastating news. Whilst in Vientiane it was discovered that he had numerous tumours throughout his body. He was never told that his leg had been removed due to a tumour and that it was possible it could recur. He died at home with his family 5 weeks after returning home. He was an older brother figure for Santar, vital in helping him settle in to the strange world they found themselves in. From different ethnic groups they shared a strong bond, both of these boys are an inspiration to all who met them.

The latest news is that the bond between Santar and Seng continues even though Seng is no longer with us. Seng's family have offered their home to Santar. They live next door to the school and the journey will be much easier. He can return home at weekends but will be able to continue schooling. I am sure that this is not the end of the story. I plan to visit as soon as I have time to head north again. I have never met anyone as determined as Santar to regain what he lost. I am confident he will continue to amaze us. The impact from that holiday in November goes on.

Photos / videos of "Santar":