Patient story - Espoir Komlan

I keep forgetting to put patient stories up, and for many weeks there weren't any but finally the communications department has caught up and there are plenty for me to choose from so please enjoy this story about our orthopaedic surgeries. (Written by Elaine B. Winn, Edited by Nancy Predaina, Photos by Debra Bell and Liz Cantu)

Espoir Komlan Allabar

FOOTBALL! Just the mention of the word grabs the attention of four-year-old Espoir. A bright and very active little boy, Espoir lives in Togo, West Africa. His mother says that he " jumps everywhere all the time . " He arrived on the Africa Mercy like a bolt of electricity - energizing the entire ward.

Espoir was born with bowed legs that made him the target of teasing from the children in his first-grade class. They said his legs looked like the letter " O ." Espoir always responded, "I'm just like you !" He never let them see how their words hurt him, and he never let them discourage him. He even played a forward position on his football team.

When Espoir's mother heard a television announcement about a hospital ship that was coming to Togo to provide free surgeries, she brought Espoir to a screening. Soon he was onboard the Africa Mercy for the life-transforming surgery that would straighten his legs ... and put an end to the cruel ridicule.

Espoir is uncharacteristically still as he lies quietly in bed, recuperating with both legs straight and bandaged. He has found creative ways to keep his mind busy while his body recovers - practicing the alphabet, coloring pictures, and singing all the verses of his repertoire of songs and hymns.

His infectious joy spills out in giggles when the nurses slip the stethoscope into his ears so he can hear his heartbeat. When asked what he wants to be when he grows up, he flashes a brilliant smile and quickly responds, " I want to be a pastor!"

But for right now, he is eager to get back to his football team. " I want to go to school quickly ," he asserts. " I want to show them that I am okay now."

Appropriately, Espoir means "hope" in French. His mother says, " I named him that because I have hope for him - hope for him to be a missionary one day and help the poor like he's been helped ."

 Before surgery, Espoir's legs were very bowed.

 Nurse Laura Coles helps Espoir listen to his heart with her stethoscope while he is recuperating from surgery to straighten both legs.

Espoir uses a chair for support as part of his therapy, while at the Hospitality Center