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Dennis Muchaya : An Update
Readers will recall that in the July 2005 edition of The Lowdown, we
published the story of
Dennis Muchaya who lost both his legs and
left hand from a hand grenade explosion in 1994, when he was just
ten years old.
On Sunday 21
May, Dennis took his first flight in an aircraft, to Johannesburg
and to the start of a new life! Dennis would be receiving his new
legs.
Otto Bock, a
German manufacturer of light-weight prostheses generously donated
the components for these new legs. The Company sourced one of their
purchasing Clinics in Johannesburg to cooperate by making the new
legs, also free of charge.
The Clinic in
Johannesburg found suitable accommodation for Dennis, 6 km from the
airport and 1 km from the Clinic. The Manager, Nigel, pledged to
take care of Dennis, to meet him on arrival and see to his needs.
The Pakistani
Women's Group of Lusaka donated funds to cover accommodation, meals
and taxi fares to and from the Clinic on a daily basis.
Zambian
Airways donated the free return flight.
The African
Diplomatic Spouses Group donated funds for special shoes that will
be made and fitted for Dennis at the Orthopaedic Clinic in
Johannesburg.
His pocket
money was the $200 donated by various Lowdown readers.
In
Johannesburg everybody at Orthomed Clinic was outstandingly kind to
Dennis and he was amazed how beautifully his new legs were made by
Thys Lotter, so quickly and when he walked he felt as if he was
walking on air.
The mid-arm
and hand (which gift had had not even been requested) were not ready
when Dennis left the Clinic and will be sent by courier in due
course.
And what of
the future?
Dennis is
already writing music/jingles for adverts and being pressed on many
sides to open his own recording studio; for up and coming musicians
to record CDs. Dennis has premises for his studio but lacks a
digital monitor. Otherwise he is ready to open 'tomorrow'! Dennis
is a true example of being an overcomer.
Thank you to
all those who have given their support and also thank you to Kathy
Harding for all the hard work she has done in putting this all
together.
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July
2006