A Leg For Carmen in Liberia
Donation protected
PLEASE HELP SAVE CARMEN’S LIFE
Carmen Sheaib was born in Saclepea, Liberia on April 11, 1955. During her development and academic years, she received Christ as her Lord and Personal Savior. She also assisted with Sunday school at the First Methodist Church while attending the College of West Africa (CWA) in Monrovia, Liberia’s capital city. Additionally, Carmen also assisted her father with daily operations at his store and was always willing to help customers with whatever their needs were, even when they did not have sufficient funds. Most of the time Carmen would include the customer’s mail with the store mail because the customers could not afford to buy stamps.
God blessed Carmen with two children (George and Georgette) from a previous marriage, who love her dearly and have remained at her side. During Liberia’s fourteen-year civil war (from 1989 through 2003), Carmen provided for her family in the best way she could, after Liberian soldiers burned her father’s store, jailed, mistreated, and abused him. He fled Liberia when the opportunity existed and died later on. Like many Liberian mothers, Carmen experienced hardships but worked with several relief organizations to keep her children alive during the war.
Early in 2009, Carmen realized that there was a bite on her left foot and after visiting the doctor on several occasions, she was given shots and informed that everything was going to be all right. After a few months, she noticed that the wound was getting bigger and her foot became stiff and bruised. Because of the lack of medical facilities and doctors in Liberia, Carmen had to wait many days to see a doctor. Some days she was lucky and other days she did not see the doctor at all. As time progressed, the pain became unbearable and it was difficult for Carmen to stand or walk on the foot. Finally, in 2010, Carmen was able to contact a longtime friend who took her to a bone specialist for an examination. The doctor informed Carmen that amputation was the most viable option as the infection was entrenched in her foot and it had become incurable.
As stubborn as Carmen is, her friend convinced her that it was a choice between life or death and that life was still better with one foot (because there is hope) than to lose her entire life. Finally, in October 2010, the first amputation was completed; but the wound did not heal, neither did the bleeding stop. Therefore, a second amputation, this time from above the knee, was performed in November 2010. Today, Carmen still lives in Liberia on financial aid received from a few friends and relatives in Liberia and America, but without any medical assistance.
HER NEED FOR PROSTHETICS
Carmen has always been self-sufficient and has the desire to become that way again, but this time she cannot do it alone. In order for Carmen to become mobile again, she will need prosthetic and medical care. Many prosthetic organizations were contacted requesting assistance for Carmen. Only one has promised to provide free materials to make the prosthetic but is unable to provide the complete treatments (i.e., technical assistance, doctor visits, fittings, etc.).
Subsequently, the Hanger Prosthetic Company provided an estimate for treatment (without the cost of the material). Therefore, if we are successful in meeting our goal, Carmen will reside with her relatives in San Antonio, Texas while receiving treatment from the Hanger Prosthetic Company that is located nearby. The estimated length of the treatment could last from six to twelve months, depending upon the patient’s ability and zest to walk again, and if no ailments impede progress.
The total estimated cost of manufacturing the prosthetic plus medical care is approximately $30,000. Moreover, an additional $15,000 is required for traveling to and from Liberia and the United States, with an assistant; as well as transportation to and from the prosthetic facility and doctor’s office, a wheelchair, prescriptions, etc.
Please help to save Carmen’s life. As Acts 20:35 of the New King James Version (NKJV) Bible states: “I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
Carmen Sheaib was born in Saclepea, Liberia on April 11, 1955. During her development and academic years, she received Christ as her Lord and Personal Savior. She also assisted with Sunday school at the First Methodist Church while attending the College of West Africa (CWA) in Monrovia, Liberia’s capital city. Additionally, Carmen also assisted her father with daily operations at his store and was always willing to help customers with whatever their needs were, even when they did not have sufficient funds. Most of the time Carmen would include the customer’s mail with the store mail because the customers could not afford to buy stamps.
God blessed Carmen with two children (George and Georgette) from a previous marriage, who love her dearly and have remained at her side. During Liberia’s fourteen-year civil war (from 1989 through 2003), Carmen provided for her family in the best way she could, after Liberian soldiers burned her father’s store, jailed, mistreated, and abused him. He fled Liberia when the opportunity existed and died later on. Like many Liberian mothers, Carmen experienced hardships but worked with several relief organizations to keep her children alive during the war.
Early in 2009, Carmen realized that there was a bite on her left foot and after visiting the doctor on several occasions, she was given shots and informed that everything was going to be all right. After a few months, she noticed that the wound was getting bigger and her foot became stiff and bruised. Because of the lack of medical facilities and doctors in Liberia, Carmen had to wait many days to see a doctor. Some days she was lucky and other days she did not see the doctor at all. As time progressed, the pain became unbearable and it was difficult for Carmen to stand or walk on the foot. Finally, in 2010, Carmen was able to contact a longtime friend who took her to a bone specialist for an examination. The doctor informed Carmen that amputation was the most viable option as the infection was entrenched in her foot and it had become incurable.
As stubborn as Carmen is, her friend convinced her that it was a choice between life or death and that life was still better with one foot (because there is hope) than to lose her entire life. Finally, in October 2010, the first amputation was completed; but the wound did not heal, neither did the bleeding stop. Therefore, a second amputation, this time from above the knee, was performed in November 2010. Today, Carmen still lives in Liberia on financial aid received from a few friends and relatives in Liberia and America, but without any medical assistance.
HER NEED FOR PROSTHETICS
Carmen has always been self-sufficient and has the desire to become that way again, but this time she cannot do it alone. In order for Carmen to become mobile again, she will need prosthetic and medical care. Many prosthetic organizations were contacted requesting assistance for Carmen. Only one has promised to provide free materials to make the prosthetic but is unable to provide the complete treatments (i.e., technical assistance, doctor visits, fittings, etc.).
Subsequently, the Hanger Prosthetic Company provided an estimate for treatment (without the cost of the material). Therefore, if we are successful in meeting our goal, Carmen will reside with her relatives in San Antonio, Texas while receiving treatment from the Hanger Prosthetic Company that is located nearby. The estimated length of the treatment could last from six to twelve months, depending upon the patient’s ability and zest to walk again, and if no ailments impede progress.
The total estimated cost of manufacturing the prosthetic plus medical care is approximately $30,000. Moreover, an additional $15,000 is required for traveling to and from Liberia and the United States, with an assistant; as well as transportation to and from the prosthetic facility and doctor’s office, a wheelchair, prescriptions, etc.
Please help to save Carmen’s life. As Acts 20:35 of the New King James Version (NKJV) Bible states: “I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
Organizer
Lulu Greenfield-Smith
Organizer
Greater Upper Marlboro, MD
