New Year, New Leg!

Yesterday, visiting Australian physiotherapist Douglas Falconer accompanied Thien Nhan to a fitting for a new leg, provided thanks to the generous support of Viet Ortho Hanoi and French charity organization Coeur de Bambou. This new, higher-tech leg features a jointed knee and foot, and can be adjusted as Thien Nhan grows.

The fitting process is time-consuming and difficult, requiring a lot of fine-tuning on the part of the technicians and Thien Nhan's parents. Thanks to Ms. Au, Mr. Duc, Dr. Olivier and Douglas for their patience. At the moment, Thien Nhan finds the new leg cumbersome and scary to use - it will take time for him to adjust. We hope that 2009 will be the year that he learns to walk!


Check out more photos and a video of Thien Nhan's leg-fitting at http://bnok.vn/nhatkychulinhchi/2009/01/22/kich-kich-kich-kich-cho-nam-moi/ Mom Mai Anh and big brother Little Minh were there to cheer the tot on.

Hard Work

Thien Nhan was healthy enough to go back to preschool today. Following his afternoon nap, he spent an hour-long session with our wonderful volunteer physiotherapist Ulrika, who wrote the following about today's lesson:

"Today's practice went very well. TN was standing or walking with his walker for about 40 minutes in a row. For training balance in standing we did some LEGO while using the walker close to a table. We also played some football for more difficult balance training. TN was using his walker back to front, so that the open end was facing the ball. He was holding on to it, of course, but while trying to kick with his left leg he automaticly has to lean over towards the right which gives some good practice."

Under the Weather

Both Thien Nhan, 2, and his brother Little Minh, 3, are home from school sick today, with mild fevers and sniffles. Usually, Thien Nhan has physio sessions with Swedish physiotherapist Ulrike Urquart on Mondays and Thursdays, but today's lesson had to be cancelled. The tot was already feeling poorly during his last two physio lessons, and gave poor Ulrike--who volunteers her services-- a hard time.

"I wasn't as popular as the first time," said Ulrike. "Well, that's the challenge working with little kids. You can have a great plan for the meeting and then have to rethink. But that's what I love about my work."

"He was cranky and yelled at Ulrike a lot," said Thien Nhan's mom, Mai Anh. "He did not want to cooperate. But Ulrike is very good with him. We are so lucky to find her."

Another Step Forward

Swedish physiotherapist Ulrike Urquhart, who lives in Hanoi, has very kindly volunteered to work with Thien Nhan two days a week to help the tot to improve his strength and balance. Within moments of meeting, Ulrike and Thien Nhan were happily playing together, with language proving no obstacle. "They were very happy and natural together," says Thien Nhan's mom, Mai Anh. "It's wonderful. Thien Nhan can learn to walk and also learn some English too."

Standing Tall

Thien Nhan's prosthetic leg was too short, so he spent the day at VietCot being fitted for an extension. His dad and big brother, Minh, came along too to lend support. The lengthened leg should be ready sometime this week.

Tomorrow Thien Nhan has an appointment with physiotherapist Dr. Chuong, who, all being well, will help to arrange regular physio sessions for the tot. He needs specialized physio to ensure the health of his good leg, stump and spine.

Housecall

Last night, Dr. Dong, a physiotherapist who specializes in injury rehabilitation, stopped by to visit Thien Nhan with two colleagues. Born and raised in Hanoi, Dr. Dong studied medicine in the United States, where he now works. He was back in Vietnam doing other charitable work. While the power was out during Dr. Dong's visit, forcing him to examine Nhan by candelight, the doctor still managed to get a good idea of Thien Nhan's special needs. "He was very good and kind," reported Mai Anh. "And the people who came with him cried a lot when they saw Thien Nhan. They really want to help him."

Visitors for Thien Nhan

Thien Nhan had a busy Saturday morning. Sue from War Legacies, a US-based non-profit group that does a lot of great work with Agent Orange victims and disabled people in Vietnam, stopped by to meet Thien Nhan and Mai Anh for the first time. They also met Simmone, an Australian physiotherapist and businesswoman who came by to examine his leg stump and review his leg exercises. Both Sue and Simmone were both amazed by how fast Thien Nhan can move without his prosthetic limb--nobody can keep up with his one-legged crawling!

Physio & Prosthetics

An Australian physiotherapist will check in on Thien Nhan this Saturday, so as to determine what physio care he needs and recommend specialists. Because Thien Nhan's leg was amputated before he knew how to walk he needs special instruction and physiotherapy, and his prosthetic care is very complicated. We really need help in these areas as soon as possible--please email elkeray@yahoo.com if you have expertise in these fields and are willing to help.