Boy who came to school on his friend's back had leg surgery

Professor, Doctor Rene Esser performed free surgery for Ho Thanh Lam - Photo: NGUYEN BINH NAM

At the end of March, Tuoi Tre newspaper published an article about Ho Thanh Lam, a second grader at Khe Sanh Primary School No. 1 (Huong Hoa District, Quang Tri Province), who was born with a congenital deformity in both legs. He rides to school on the backs of two friends from the same village.

After the article, the community joined hands to spread the word, helping the child get orthopedic surgery to regain his legs.

First steps in life

Mr. Nguyen Binh Nam (residing in Da Nang City) said that when he heard about Ho Thanh Lam's case, he tried to connect with the community to help her. After a few days of posting on Facebook, Professor, Doctor Rene Esser and an international hospital in Ho Chi Minh City agreed to support the surgery costs for her.

Mr. Nam said this was the first time both mother and son had traveled by car and plane from a border town in Quang Tri province to Ho Chi Minh City for a medical examination.

After 2 months, Mr. Nam informed that the surgery was successful, Lam had many follow-up visits and the cast has now been removed. Both Lam and her mother are staying at Mr. Nam's house in Da Nang City to receive therapy from orthopedic trauma doctors, taking their first steps after many months of going to school on the back of her friend.

"Despite the pain when learning to walk, Lam is very confident. The surgery is just the beginning of a long journey. Lam and his mother need to encourage each other and practice hard for a whole year to be able to walk," said Mr. Nam.

To give Lam the opportunity to practice, Mr. Nam plans to let him repeat grade 2 in Da Nang City for the next year, and only move home when things are stable. "If I let him and his mother go home now, I'm afraid that if they don't practice on their own, he won't be able to go, and all his hard work will be in vain," said Mr. Nam.

Mr. Nam and Lam (left) before the cast was removed - Photo: NGUYEN BINH NAM

Go to school on your back

Eight years ago, Ho Thi E gave birth to Lam, who was born with a congenital defect in both legs. His left leg was bent forward toward his stomach, and his right leg was bent behind his back. Seeing that his youngest son was disabled, the father left and disappeared.

Since then, her feet have been cramped and her knees cannot be straightened. When the weather changes, Lam often has a high fever, her feet are cold and aching.

For the past two years, out of love for their friend, Ho Van Phat and Ho Anh Tan have become his back legs, carrying him to school every day at Pa Nho school, Khe Sanh Primary School No. 1.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/cau-be-den-truong-tren-lung-ban-da-duoc-phau-thuat-chan-20240619121114454.htm