One Inspirational Story

20-year-old Esteli was one of many tough challenges for Stefan Rede and the Star of Hope medical team that visited Haiti just after the earthquake. When the team met him a few weeks after the earthquake, had his leg suffered gangrene and the broken foot was so torn that it was endangering his life.

Esteli refused to allow us to amputate the leg, although his legs were infected hard and we were sure that he would die. Stefan Rede tells of the difficult decisions the team had to make several times a day. Losing a leg in Haiti is for many the same as losing their lives. In a society with no social safety net is the one with a disability are completely vulnerable and rely on begging, prostitution or crime. Esteli did not want to end up there. I understand them. They wanted was my best, they are a doctor and knows his stuff, but I did not give up. How could I get by with only one leg?

It was an extremely difficult decision, for Stefan and his team, but also for the Esteli and his parents. They did not lose his son but still respect his choice. We cut away the dead tissue, muscle adjusted as best I could and transplanted skin from the thigh to cover the large wound. The rest we leave to God.

The extensive surgery had not been possible without the expertise that existed in the medical team. And the miracle happened, Esteli survived! A month later, he could leave the hospital, he walked with the aid of crutches - but had both legs intact.

Since then, Stefan has performed another surgery on his leg and in the autumn of 2011, an orthopedic surgeon from Sweden, operated leg further. The goal is a fully functioning leg and a life without crutches. I am extremely grateful to Stefan and his team that they respected my decision. I know it will take time and require much training before I'm fully recovered but I have two legs to walk on and in the autumn, I hope I can go back to school.