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The Joy of Making Dreams Real
January 13, 2009, Makati City
By Pres. Eduardo "Ed" C. Escaño, RC Forbes Park
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12-year old Arnel Ropero, like any young boy has dreams. Unlike other boys his age who dreams this Christmas of receiving his latest PSPIII or Wii or the latest Nokia mobile phone with internet capabilities, Arnel’s dream was simple. His dream was to be able to walk like any other child. Arnel was born with congenital deformities of the legs and arm. Unlike his other siblings, he was the only one born with these deformities. |
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It Began After Typhoon Frank
I came to know of Arnel after typhoon Frank devastated the provinces of Iloilo and Aklan. The Rotary Club of Forbes Park, of which I am currently President, decided to pitch in and assist in the relief efforts for both provinces. Little did I realize that the relief project will eventually give me the opportunity to help Arnel make his dream a reality.
Megs Lunn, President of the Rotary Club of Kalibo, with her big heart and untiring spirit of community service, initially requested me via e-mail for crutches for Arnel, a native of far-flung Sitio Pinangod, Bacyang, Madalag, Aklan Province. Seeing the pictures of Arnel, coupled with information that he was very eager to go to school, as he actually travels 4 kilometers on his knees to school, I was deeply moved. I requested Megs to provide me with all medical history and information of Arnel to determine if he was medically eligible to be a prosthetic leg recipient. Another rotary club has launched an artificial limb project and I was told Arnel would qualify to be a beneficiary. |
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On 19 November 2008, after clearing all information and logistical support, I decided to fly to Kalibo to personally meet with and accompany Arnel and his mother, Susan to Manila for his rehabilitation. Upon meeting Arnel for the first time, I immediately noticed his being very quiet and withdrawn. Despite talking to him and trying to lift his spirit by telling him his dream would soon be a reality, he remained silent. Megs and Nanay Susan told me that Arnel actually talks a lot. I rationalized that his silence may have been brought about by his condition, a condition that made him feel inferior. This further challenged me to exert more effort in helping this boy. I believed that by facilitating the installation of his prosthetic legs, I may somehow restore that hope and confidence knowing that he can have a better chance of having a bright future.
At the Kalibo airport, people who were waiting for their flights at the terminal glanced at Arnel. Airport officials were all smiles for Arnel knowing that Rotarians were helping Arnel by flying him to Manila for treatment. All this time, Arnel had a blank stare at the parked Philippine Airlines plane at the tarmac. I tried to ask him if he was excited to go to Manila, but he remained silent, his head stooped down, without a reply. I surmised he might have been overwhelmed that all of these things were happening right before his eyes. Upon boarding however, I could sense Arnel was happy, as I saw him for the first time shed tears of joy. I was teary-eyed myself feeling a sense of fulfillment, knowing that help for Arnel was clearly on its way. |
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Rehabilitation at the UP-PGH
As in all worthy endeavors, success did not come easy. I accompanied Arnel and Nanay Susan to the University of the Philippines - Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) for diagnosis and his treatment. Thanks to the assistance of Dr. Carmelo Alfiler, Medical Director of PGH, Arnel was finally admitted to the Prosthetic Ward of the hospital. Dr. Penny Bundoc, the chief doctor of the Prosthesis Department, was very gracious and accommodating to explain to Nanay Susan and to me what Arnel needed to undergo, from diagnostic tests, to prosthetic leg measurement, to psychological and physical rehabilitative therapy. It seemed like in 2 weeks time, Arnel was going to have new legs and would be going back home to Madalag before Christmas. With some twist of fate, I received a text message from Dr. Penny that while all was well with Arnel’s psychological therapy, the department had depleted its stock of prosthetic legs. That was truly a shocker! I immediately called Dr. Penny and informed her that I will find a way to get those legs at any and all costs! I was not ready to put a young man down, much more shatter his dreams of getting legs, after bringing him all the way from the Visayas. I scrolled through my mobile phone and called Alfred Li of Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines. |
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Tzu Chi Foundation & Jaipur Foot
Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines has been doing charity, disaster relief, medical missions, education, cultural and environmental work in the Philippines for the past 14 years. I got to know of their charitable and noble work and have since 2005 assisted them in all their legal requirements. Tzu Chi Foundation Zamboanga Office, headed by Anton Lim was in charge of the Tzu Chi Great Love Jaipur Foot Manufacturing Center. While realizing that I may be asking for so much, I nevertheless, did not hesitate to call Alfred Li and ask for if Tzu Chi can be of assistance to Arnel. I explained the situation and immediately Alfred asked to give him 5 minutes. Alfred called up Anton in Zamboanga and within five minutes, I received confirmation that I should ask Dr. Penny for the foot measurement and Anton will directly send over the legs to PGH. Excited, I called Dr. Penny and relayed my suggested solution. Apparently, Dr. Penny knew and had worked with Anton on previous occasions. She promised to directly communicate with Anton via e-mail and to keep me posted of the developments. I renewed my acquaintance with Anton and thanked him for helping Arnel. |
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Plastic Leg
A week passed and the Jaipur foot was already with PGH. In my conversation with Dr. Penny, she said Arnel was responding very well to therapy. She mentioned that while one Jaipur foot would suit Arnel’s right leg, the left leg may not use the same technology since the leg was shorter and would not have enough support. In lieu of the Jaipur leg, she suggested that a plastic leg be fitted on Arnel’s left leg. However, the plastic foot had a cost and someone had to pay for it. At that point, I told myself that I would not allow further delay of Arnel’s dream, if only because of financial constraints. A sense of mission prevailed upon me to pursue and ensure that Arnel’s dream will not be for naught. Thus, without any hesitation, I told Dr. Penny to proceed with the fitting of the plastic leg and that I will defray its cost. |
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Success After the Wait
The news could not come any earlier. On the 3rd week of December, Arnel finally got his legs, a Jaipur right leg and a plastic leg on the left. It was welcome news for Arnel and Nanay Susan, the doctors and staff, as well as to all of the people who had, in one way or another participated in this life-changing project. As an icing to the cake, Dr. Penny sent me a message that Arnel had participated in a prosthetic walkaton two days after his legs were fitted. I knew the fitting of the legs have finally given Arnel the much needed confidence-boost he deserved. Overjoyed by this great Christmas present, I announced to our rotary club members the good news. Indeed it will be a Merry Christmas for Arnel and for all of us. I could not wait to see Arnel walk. My next visit to the PGH was indeed very fulfilling. As soon as a fellow Rotarian Bert Galano and I entered the prosthetic ward section and Arnel saw me, he welcomed us with a smile.
At this point, I was sure that his new pair of legs had given him enough self-assurance. I could not contain my own excitement to see Arnel walk. Upon my prodding, Arnel managed to fit his new legs with Nanay Susan, the doctors and staff, as well as to all of the people who had, in one way or another participated in this life-changing project. As an icing to the cake, Dr. Penny sent me a message that Arnel had participated in a prosthetic walkaton two days after his legs were fitted. I knew the fitting of the legs have finally given Arnel the much needed confidence-boost he deserved. Overjoyed by this great Christmas present, I announced to our rotary club members the good news. Indeed it will be a Merry Christmas for Arnel and for all of us. I could not wait to see Arnel walk.
My next visit to the PGH was indeed very fulfilling. As soon as a fellow Rotarian Bert Galano and I entered the prosthetic ward section and Arnel saw me, he welcomed us with a smile. At this point, I was sure that his new pair of legs had given him enough self-assurance. I could not contain my own excitement to see Arnel walk. Upon my prodding, Arnel managed to fit his new legs with Nanay Susan’s help. His confidence was evident as he guided his mother how to tighten the velcro-strap of his legs. No sooner after he strapped his new pair of legs, Arnel stood up and started to walk towards the door of the ward, impressing upon me the skills he leaned over the past few days. I was awed. He continued to walk out onto the hallway, mostly unassisted, as if he was showing off to his fellow patients. I knew Arnel’s show was clearly a sign of acknowledgment and gratefulness for having been given the chance to walk.
Nanay Susan, the ever loving and supportive mother, stood by Arnel. I jokingly told Arnel that by the time he gets back to Aklan, he will have a girlfriend waiting, to which he responded with a big smile. Arnel still needs to undergo a few sessions of rehabilitation therapy to train him with his new limbs. I am confident however, that the difficult training and adjustments Arnel will go through will be no match to his joy of finally realizing a dream long awaited, a dream to finally stand up and walk alongside with other people. Truly, a dream fulfilled.
I learned a lot from Arnel, I thank him for giving me one of the best Christmas gifts, and that is the joy attached to the opportunity to be of service and to make his dream a reality. |
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