May 21, 2024
Walking towards a new journey: Tzu Chi Zamboanga’s Jaipur Foot Camp
By Dorothy Castro
With new prosthetic legs, breadwinners and dreamers can once more stride towards their aspirations with bright eyes, shining light and hope into the lives of others in need.
On May 16-17, Tzu Chi Zamboanga opened the turnover of prosthetic legs to 97 beneficiaries in Pagadian, Zamboanga del Sur. Headed by Tzu Chi Zamboanga Liaison Officer Dr. Anton Mari Lim, the Jaipur Foot Camp successfully fitted 44 above-the-knee and 53 below-the-knee prosthesis to the recipients. Additionally, prosthetic technicians provided casting for 22 incoming recipients of prosthetic legs. Wheelchairs were also provided to two recipients in need.
“Restoring hope, rebuilding lives, one foot at a time” was the slogan of the Jaipur Foot Camp. This meant the prostheses’ role in a new start for the recipients, and a hope for a life where they can go back to the routines they once enjoyed.
This was Tzu Chi Zamboanga’s first Jaipur Foot Camp in Pagadian, and its largest by far. For Tzu Chi Zamboanga’s initiatives, usually, around 20 beneficiaries receive the prostheses in one foot camp. But this two-day foot camp reached a significant milestone of 97 patients happily starting their lives anew. All 97 recipients were assessed during the prosthesis casting five months before, on January 5.
The Jaipur Foot Camp in Pagadian, Zamboanga del Sur is a combined effort of Tzu Chi Zamboanga volunteers, prosthetic technicians, and Zamboanga City Medical Center rehabilitation medicine doctors and physical therapists, with the patients brought together in partnership with the Provincial Government of Zamboanga del Sur, the House of Representatives, Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office, and Zamboanga Athletes with Disability.
At 8 in the morning of May 15, the prosthetic technicians coming from Zamboanga City arrived after a seven-hour journey to Pagadian City. Carrying 99 prosthetic legs and two wheelchairs, volunteers worked together to unload these at the executive function hall, capitol compound of Pagadian City.
Dr. Lim saw how life-changing this opportunity was for the patients. “The moment the prosthesis is put in, we can immediately see the change in the recipients’ self-esteem. They suddenly smile, feel more confident, and are more hopeful in life,” Dr. Lim observed.
With every smile from the recipients, are stories of hard work and challenges that they continue to overcome. This is what Hon. Victor Yu, Governor of Zamboanga del Sur, deeply empathized with as he reflected on the compassion he witnessed during the prosthesis turnover: “The challenges they face in life are very difficult and can be discouraging. By giving them prostheses, they are also given hope and inspiration to fulfill their goals.”
For 36-year-old breadwinner Armando Paragas, losing his leg was the worst setback he faced. He was involved in a vehicular accident that cost him his livelihood in transporting produce, which led to a series of debts that he could not settle, as he was left unemployed and dependent on his family.
“This challenge is extremely difficult to overcome. I dearly miss the things I used to enjoy before I lost my leg,” Paragas sadly recounted.
This is why Paragas was so excited he could barely sleep thinking about the newfound hope of him walking once more. This was a faraway dream for him and he even had doubts whether he could succeed in this trial.
Yet, all these doubts turned into enthusiasm upon seeing his prosthesis being prepared by the prosthetic technicians. “I can look forward to life again, and I know that everything will be all right,” Paragas said with hope.
This is the same happiness that prosthetic technician Jose Waldemar Rico prayed to see in the patients’ eyes. “I do this so I can see them happy, walking again with their prosthesis,” Rico shared. A former beneficiary of Tzu Chi with two below-the-knee prostheses, he has been bringing the same blessings to beneficiaries through prosthesis since 2010.
In 2010, Rico had his legs amputated due to Buerger’s disease. According to the Mayo Clinic website, this disease commonly affects people who smoke and make use of tobacco, hence stopping the use of these is the only way to keep it from worsening.
Stanford Medicine Healthcare website shared that other reasons for amputation include diseases, traumatic injuries, and growths such as tumors that require surgical removal. Among the amputee beneficiaries interviewed during the Jaipur Foot Camp, some had their limbs amputated due to diabetes, injuries from vehicular accidents, and severe infections in the legs.
A longtime volunteer doctor since 2012, Dr. Pretzy Izquierdo continues to lend her expertise in rehabilitation medicine as the head doctor representing the team of specialists and physical therapists of Zamboanga City Medical Center.
Guiding patients into walking again, Dr. Izquierdo felt an immeasurable amount of joy seeing the prosthesis recipients walking on their own. This same joy keeps her spirit of volunteerism and compassion going, and she hopes that more lives would be touched by the kindness of Tzu Chi through these initiatives. “This will help them gain their confidence, encourage them to walk and use their prostheses towards a new life. New feet, new life,” she says with faith.
Truly, a new life awaits Armando Paragas, and that fills him with optimism towards the future. He says: “Through this prosthesis, I hope to help my family again. As the breadwinner of the family, losing my leg affected us so much. But if I can finally work again, I will not let go of the opportunity.”
Traveling via the mobile prosthesis van, Tzu Chi Zamboanga prosthetic technicians arrived in Pagadian City on May 14 after seven hours on the road.
The mobile prosthesis van, complete with all the facilities needed to cast and adjust prostheses, was donated by the Rotary Club of Forbes Park and the Rotary Foundation on June 27, 2022.
All of the newly prepared prostheses are ready to be transported to Pagadian City for the anticipated turnover.
A Tzu Chi Volunteer joyfully carries the prostheses to the mobile van to be transported to Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur.
In addition to the prostheses, Jose Waldemar Rico, prosthetic technician, also brought physical therapy tools with them, to aid the recipients as they practice walking with their new prostheses.
Two wheelchairs were also brought to Pagadian City for beneficiaries who cannot use prosthetics.
All 99 prostheses were placed at the front of the function hall for easy access. Tzu Chi volunteers turned over 44 above-the-knee, 53 below-the-knee, and two bilateral prostheses.
A Tzu Chi volunteer helps the beneficiaries wear their patient gowns in preparation for the prosthesis fitting.
Before the turnover, Tzu Chi volunteers led by Tzu Chi Zamboanga Liaison Officer Dr. Anton Mari Lim (second from right) lead attendees in prayer.
With the opening of the Jaipur Foot Camp in Pagadian City, Tzu Chi volunteers prepared the recipient lists and the gifts for the patients after the prosthesis fitting.
Tokens are given to the beneficiaries, such as the prosthesis keychains, Tzu Chi bookmarks, and red envelopes (angpao) from Dharma Master Cheng Yen, symbols of gratitude and love towards the recipients.
Among the prosthesis recipients are children excitedly waiting for the moment to be able to walk again.
Tzu Chi Zamboanga Liaison Officer Dr. Anton Mari Lim (right) shares a thumbs-up sign with a 6-year-old prosthesis recipient, who bravely handled the process with a smile.
Tzu Chi volunteers and prosthetic technicians poured great effort into ensuring that the prostheses are perfectly fit for the recipients.
A prosthesis beneficiary prays before receiving his prosthesis and learning to walk once more.
The prosthesis recipient smiles as he learns to walk with his new below-the-knee prosthesis.
Jose Waldemar Rico, prosthetic technician (left, seated), ensures that the prosthesis fits comfortably for the recipient.
Tzu Chi Zamboanga Liaison Officer Dr. Anton Mari Lim checks a beneficiary’s prosthesis.
Jessica Enriquez, a Tzu Chi volunteer (right), assists a prosthesis recipient during the fitting process.
Armando Paragas was a breadwinner for his family, as his parents were unable to work. He took on many jobs, which included construction work, driving, operating a chainsaw, collecting debt, and more.
“I am happy to accept the prosthesis to be able to walk again. I did not hesitate to go to Pagadian despite the travel costs, because I am eager to get new feet,” Armando Paragas (second from left) enthusiastically declared.
“I want to try walking and carrying things while practicing at home,” said Armando Paragas of his next steps after receiving his prosthesis.
On May 16, Armando Paragas received his above-the-knee prosthesis.
Friendships are also formed among the beneficiaries as they wait for their prosthesis to be adjusted.
Dr. Pretzy Izquierdo, a rehabilitation medicine doctor from Zamboanga City Medical Center, was part of Tzu Chi’s Jaipur Foot Camp.
Lexcine Lagata, an 18-year-old studying social work, is one of the recipients of the wheelchairs from Tzu Chi Foundation. Growing up, she suffered from changes in her foot placement that made walking extremely difficult.
Baby Jane Remedios, one of the recipients of the wheelchairs from Tzu Chi Foundation, has a congenital disability that led to challenges in the development of her arms and legs.
Duriz Pejaner, a recipient of the bilateral prostheses, had difficulty with their fitting. Tzu Chi Zamboanga volunteers decided to give her a wheelchair instead.
Twenty-two prostheses recipients went to Pagadian City for the casting process.
The casting process for the prostheses includes adding markings to ensure a perfect fit.
The prosthetic technicians ensure that the cast is properly adhered to the shape of the patient’s leg.
The prosthetic technicians ensure that the cast is properly adhered to the shape of the patient’s leg.
A companion of the prosthesis recipient puts his donations in the coin can.
A prosthesis recipient smiles as he places his donation in the coin can.
Tzu Chi Zamboanga volunteers, prosthetic technicians, volunteer doctors, and physical therapists from Zamboanga City Medical Center, and members of the Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office posed for a photo with Zamboanga del Sur Governor Victor Yu (center, in brown shirt) and Congresswoman Divina Grace Yu (beside Gov. Yu, in striped shirt).
Tzu Chi Volunteers, members of the Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office, and volunteer doctors and physical therapists from Zamboanga City Medical Center posed for a photo after the first day of the Jaipur Foot Camp.