Doc on the other side! A leg today a life tomorrow
Donation protected
My name is Peta- Vonne Bernard. I'm a 27-year-old Jamaican and a Medical doctor. I have just completed my internship but was unable to start working as I need to have surgery on my leg.
Six years ago, in November of 2014, I was hit by a motorcycle in China, where I was studying medicine. However, at the time of the accident, I appeared to be fine so all parties went their separate ways. A day later my leg appeared to have been swollen, again did not think much of it as there was some trauma to the leg. I was also a football player (soccer), and while playing two days after the accident, I fell and heard a loud crack! My foot was twisted all the way around and the pain was indescribable.
I was told by the doctor that there was a hairline fracture, likely from the accident, and playing on the leg caused a complete fracture of my left fibula. I was put in a cast and lived in agony through the winter for six months. I was eager to get back on my feet, being in a foreign country, far from home and friends who also had school couldn't be there for me 24/7. When the cast finally came off in April 2015, I had no physiotherapy, none was offered to me, no follow-ups. I taught myself to walk again. I have been living with constant pain since.
On returning home in 2017, I began seeing an orthopedic surgeon who requested an MRI of my ankle when I explained to him the constant pain I was in and how difficult it was to walk. The MRI showed that the ligaments that held my ankle in place were completely torn. My doctor explained that I would need surgery, but unfortunately, I couldn't have it done at the time as my school in China threatened to have me expelled had I not returned to China within the time slated. I explained the situation to my doctor and he recommended an ankle brace and of course, no more football. I have had to maintain the use of the ankle brace since because of the instability of my ankle.
I repeatedly requested time off from school when I returned to China and they refused even with the knowledge of my injury. I graduated in 2018 and returned home ready to get my surgery done. However, that did not go as planned as I had applied for an internship program and was set to start in September 2018. I explained to the powers that be, the situation with my leg and was told, if I didn't start, it would mean losing my spot in the program.
I survived China and all the medical expenses up to that point because of my mother, but since returning home she hadn't been doing so well herself and so I needed to start working to help out financially. My mother has since retired and not receiving any pension. I suddenly became the sole earner in my house. I completed my internship in March 2020, as I had to repeat my Paediatric rotation because I had missed a few weeks due to my leg. During my internship, being constantly on my feet had caused my injury to become progressively worst. I have done two more MRI's since which showed the bone in my ankle had started to erode. I started depending on painkillers because of the intense burning pain I had to deal with on a daily basis. I am currently not able to stand for more than five minutes without excruciating pain. I cannot walk for long periods either and therefore, not able to work anymore.
I was scheduled to have surgery March 19, 2020, since I was about to finish internship I was allowed the time to get the situation with my leg sorted out. I had my health insurance and all its benefits up to the end of March but unfortunately due to the Coronavirus Jamaica was put in lockdown, like many other countries and as the time went by and my surgery cancelled and rescheduled three times, I lost my insurance as I was no longer working.
My new date for surgery is September 9, 2020. I have exhausted every option asking for discounts being a fellow doctor, and friends and family. However, this virus has caused financial strain on so many individuals. A friend suggested using this medium to seek assistance. The surgery I need is Arthroscopy of my left ankle and Reconstruction of the ligaments. I have to pay for the equipment to be used and the hospital fee which totals approximately 3500USD. I also have to secure the equipment at least 10 days before the day of surgery. Asking for help has always been very difficult for me as I prefer to do the helping. However, I'm pleading to anyone who can offer assistance to help please! Thank you very much in advance.
Six years ago, in November of 2014, I was hit by a motorcycle in China, where I was studying medicine. However, at the time of the accident, I appeared to be fine so all parties went their separate ways. A day later my leg appeared to have been swollen, again did not think much of it as there was some trauma to the leg. I was also a football player (soccer), and while playing two days after the accident, I fell and heard a loud crack! My foot was twisted all the way around and the pain was indescribable.
I was told by the doctor that there was a hairline fracture, likely from the accident, and playing on the leg caused a complete fracture of my left fibula. I was put in a cast and lived in agony through the winter for six months. I was eager to get back on my feet, being in a foreign country, far from home and friends who also had school couldn't be there for me 24/7. When the cast finally came off in April 2015, I had no physiotherapy, none was offered to me, no follow-ups. I taught myself to walk again. I have been living with constant pain since.
On returning home in 2017, I began seeing an orthopedic surgeon who requested an MRI of my ankle when I explained to him the constant pain I was in and how difficult it was to walk. The MRI showed that the ligaments that held my ankle in place were completely torn. My doctor explained that I would need surgery, but unfortunately, I couldn't have it done at the time as my school in China threatened to have me expelled had I not returned to China within the time slated. I explained the situation to my doctor and he recommended an ankle brace and of course, no more football. I have had to maintain the use of the ankle brace since because of the instability of my ankle.
I repeatedly requested time off from school when I returned to China and they refused even with the knowledge of my injury. I graduated in 2018 and returned home ready to get my surgery done. However, that did not go as planned as I had applied for an internship program and was set to start in September 2018. I explained to the powers that be, the situation with my leg and was told, if I didn't start, it would mean losing my spot in the program.
I survived China and all the medical expenses up to that point because of my mother, but since returning home she hadn't been doing so well herself and so I needed to start working to help out financially. My mother has since retired and not receiving any pension. I suddenly became the sole earner in my house. I completed my internship in March 2020, as I had to repeat my Paediatric rotation because I had missed a few weeks due to my leg. During my internship, being constantly on my feet had caused my injury to become progressively worst. I have done two more MRI's since which showed the bone in my ankle had started to erode. I started depending on painkillers because of the intense burning pain I had to deal with on a daily basis. I am currently not able to stand for more than five minutes without excruciating pain. I cannot walk for long periods either and therefore, not able to work anymore.
I was scheduled to have surgery March 19, 2020, since I was about to finish internship I was allowed the time to get the situation with my leg sorted out. I had my health insurance and all its benefits up to the end of March but unfortunately due to the Coronavirus Jamaica was put in lockdown, like many other countries and as the time went by and my surgery cancelled and rescheduled three times, I lost my insurance as I was no longer working.
My new date for surgery is September 9, 2020. I have exhausted every option asking for discounts being a fellow doctor, and friends and family. However, this virus has caused financial strain on so many individuals. A friend suggested using this medium to seek assistance. The surgery I need is Arthroscopy of my left ankle and Reconstruction of the ligaments. I have to pay for the equipment to be used and the hospital fee which totals approximately 3500USD. I also have to secure the equipment at least 10 days before the day of surgery. Asking for help has always been very difficult for me as I prefer to do the helping. However, I'm pleading to anyone who can offer assistance to help please! Thank you very much in advance.
Organiser and beneficiary
Peta-Vonne Bernard
Organiser
Seabrook, MD
Charlene Ellis
Beneficiary