African Girl Who Lost Both Legs Walks Again
(Published December 21, 2011)

-Malawian girl lost legs in an accident at the age of 1
–Prosthetic leg surgery through provincial support; successful rehabilitation… Returns home on December 21st

– Tiyamike, a nine-year-old Malawian girl, successfully underwent prosthetic leg surgery and rehabilitation with support from Gyeonggi Province. She returned home on December 21^st. Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Moon-soo, who participated in the farewell event, delivers a gift and an encouraging message to Tiyamike. (G-News Plus Heo Seon-ryang)

A young Malawian girl who has never been able to walk returned home on her own feet with help from Gyeonggi Province.

The heroin of the story is Shadreck Tiyamike, a 9-year old girl from Malawi.

Tiyamike suffered from leg necrosis at the age of one when a candle used to illuminate her home caused a severe house fire that claimed her legs. Both of her legs had to be amputated at an age when she was too young to remember. But with medical support from Gyeonggi Province, she received prosthetic leg surgery, successfully completed rehabilitation, and was able to walk home on December 21^st.

Tiyamike visited Gyeonggi Province last September 21^st with help from the Korean NGO ‘Committee to Cultivate Our Culture’ and the Gyeonggi Provincial Medical Center. When she first arrived, Tiyamike’s right leg had been amputated at her thigh and her left leg at the calf, making it difficult to even make use of prosthetic legs. The key to her success was the expertise of surgeons and rehabilitation.

The surgery was performed by Ajou University Hospital and the Gyeonggi-do Medical Center Suwon Hospital undertook rehabilitation. The day after she arrived in Korea, Professor Jo Jae-ho of Ajou University Hospital’s child rehabilitation department successfully performed the surgery.

Professor Jo said, “It’s a miracle that Tiyamike is able to walk without previous walking experience, a miracle realized through surgery, rehabilitation, her own resolution, and support from loved ones. This experience was a great gift to my life as well.”

– Tiyamike poses for a commemorative photo with Governor Kim Moon-soo, surgeons, and rehabilitation doctors. (G-News Plus Heo Seon-ryang)

“It’s amazing to be able to play with my sister.”

With daily physical therapy, the rehabilitation process started to become more difficult than the surgery itself; however, Tiyamike soon recovered her laughter. Her initial grief turned to joy as her rehabilitation showed progress. In particular, her rehabilitation progressed much more quickly than Suwon Hospital personnel had expected.

Byeon Byeong-hui, who conducted physical therapy for Tiyamike, said, “I had doubts about Tiyamike walking on her own even after rehabilitation because she had never walked on her own since birth.” She continued, “As the mother of a girl around her age, it was a truly wonderful and touching experience to see her start to walk after a mere two weeks of rehabilitation.”

Before, Tiyamike had no choice but to lie down all day because of her inability to move. But with rehabilitation, she is able to happily move around and have fun with her cousin, who accompanied her to Korea to provide support.

Physical therapist Son Yong-sang said, “She’s much better now and she can walk on her own. I’m sad to see her go back so soon after her discharge from the hospital, but I truly hope she can continue her successful rehabilitation in Malawi and grow up to be healthy. It was a rewarding experience for our public medical establishment.”

– Photo of Tiyamike’s rehabilitation procedure and her time in Korea. (G-News Plus Heo Seon-ryang)

Gyeonggi Province Medical Center supports second Tiyamike

The Gyeonggi Provincial Medical Center will transfer the rehabilitation program of Suwon Hospital to a local hospital in Malawi so that Tiyamike can continue to benefit from rehabilitation after she returns home. In addition, the center will share Tiyamike’s progress through Father Kim Dae-sik, who is currently involved in missionary work at a local site. The center will also support prosthetic leg adaptations that Tiyamike will need as she grows up. The support will continue until Tiyamike is fully grown. Her entire surgery and rehabilitation process were also performed completely free of charge.

At the end of December, a second Tiyamike will visit the Gyeonggi Provincial Medical Center full of hope. The Gyeonggi Provincial Medical Center is searching for a medical hospital to help a 19-year old boy from Malawi namedJangwirirawho’s suffering from obstinate hydrocephalus.

Gyeonggi Provincial Medical Center Director Bae Gi-su said “We’ll perform our duty as the regional foothold public hospital and deliver love and care to foreigners like Tiyamike and multicultural families in need.” He continued, “We hope this will be a cornerstone in the further revitalization of these medical support projects.”

After hearing of Tiyamike, Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Moon-soo visited Suwon Hospital on December 21^st and delivered a gift as well as an encouraging message before her departure.

Governor Kim Moon-soo said “I’m truly happy to see Tiyamike’s bright smile. Live happily in Malawi and contact us anytime you need anything for your rehabilitation and prosthetic leg transition.” He continued, “The province will collaborate with various medical institutes, volunteer organizations, and religious organizations and continue our support for children such as Tiyamike.”

Tiyamike said, “I desperately wanted to walk every day. Thank you everyone.” She added, “When I grow up, I want to become a great doctor to help many people.”

That afternoon, Tiyamike ‘walked’ back home with Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) student Mariam, also from Malawi, via Asiana Airlines.

– Tiyamike demonstrates her walk in front of her cousin and Governor Kim Moon-soo. (G-News Plus Heo Seon-ryang)

– G-News Plus News | Son Rak-hunkuni1202@naver.com 

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