1. MISS D. CHAMILA KUMARI
2. MISS N. KOKILA
3. MISS MALINI PUWANALOJAN
4. MISS NADEEKA MADUSHANI
5. MRS V SARASWATHY
6. MR. B.NAWATATHNE
7. MRS. T.B. PREMAWATHI
8. MR. W.M. SOMARATHNE
9. MR. E.G.R RUPASINGHE
10. MR. N.G.R.K. PRIYANKARA
11. MR. M.L.A. KUDDUS
12. MR. U. PREMATHILAKA
13. BABY NADUNI IMALKA

This is the story he related to us:-

“On 20th September 2005 I went to the jungle to collect firewood. While collecting fire wood I accidentally trod on a trap gun which shot me below the knee of my left leg. After the gun shot while I was crawling towards the village with my wounded leg I met the hunter who had set the trap gun in the jungle to kill Wild-Boar. He admitted me to the Kurunegala General Hospital.

The Doctor at the General Hospital informed me that in order to save my life my leg has to be removed from below the knee. I agreed to their decision and then they performed the surgery and removed that part of my left leg below the knee.

After I was discharged from the hospital I lived a miserable life as I had to get about on crutches and could not do the farming work I was used to. Two weeks ago I came to know about the Centre for Handicapped and then I visited the Centre. The officials at the Centre were kind and welcomed me and informed that there is a donor for my artificial limb. Then they assessed me and fitted an artificial leg. After fitting the artificial leg they trained me to walk.

MRS. T.B. PREMAWATHI

39 years old Mrs. T.B. Premawathi is a mother of two daughters. She comes from the Ampara District which is located in the Eastern province. Her husband is a farmer cultivating Vegetables. She helps her husband in farming. Her eldest daughter passed the G.C.E. (A/L) examination and is staying at home with out a job.

Mrs. Premawathi lost her limb when she unknowingly stepped onto a pressure mine. This is the destruction that still exists as a result of the ethnic war. At that time she was pregnant. After the incident she was admitted to the Kandy General Hospital. The doctors amputated the left leg below the knee. Five months later she gave birth to a daughter with multiple disabilities. The child was born deaf and dumb associated with paralyzed lower limbs. After that she faced a lot of problems in managing the house work and looking after her daughter’s needs with one leg. Recently, she heard about Center for Handicapped and visited the center

She is now in Grade 8 and good in her studies. She is determined to study well , get a job and help her family. She also has a desire to some day help another person who needs an artificial limb to have one. She says this is the only way I can say thank you to the kind donor who helped me to walk once again.

MR. W.M. SOMARATHNE

Mr. W.M. Somarathne, a 52 year old farmer is a father of two daughters. He is from Narammala – a village on the outskirt of Kurunagala District. His family consists of 4 members. His eldest daughter has completed her schooling and the second daughter is still going to school.

This is the story which he told us:-

“One day a thorn pricked in my right foot while I was working in my paddy fields to harvest. I did not take much care of it and continued my routine work. After two days my foot began to swell and I got fever then I went to the Kurunagala General Hospital. The hospital authorities informed me that some poisonous thorn had pricked on my foot. They removed the thorn through surgery. After the surgery my wound did not get healed, the doctors did six more surgeries to control the spreading of the wound. But they failed and then they diagnosed the poisonous thorn had damaged all nerves below the ankle causing death of that part. Finally my leg below the knee was removed, to save my life. I was hospitalized for 3½ months and went home only with one leg. This put me in to a helpless situation.

While I was at home I met a person who is using an artificial limb, and on his guidance and directions I visited the Centre for Handicapped.

I have explained my difficulties to the officials of the centre and they informed me that they could help me as there is a donor for an artificial limb. They provided a suitable limb which is good for my employment (farming) and after fitting the artificial leg.I was trained to walk on different kinds of surfaces.

I am indeed very grateful to the generous donor and the Centre for Handicapped for helping disabled people like me to become able. What a happy Man I’m now. I cannot explain it in words. I can go back home with lot of confidence, harvest my paddy fields and look after my family.”

Mr. E.G.R Rupasinghe 38 years old, lives in Thalathuoya which is a village situated in the District of Kandy. He has three children and all of them are married. Before he lost his leg he was a farmer by profession.

This is the story he related to us:-

“On my left leg a lump formed and I was in severe pain. When I went to the Kandy General Hospital to show my leg the Hospital authorities examined my leg and diagnosed that there is a Tumor on my left ankle and they suggested removal of my leg below the knee in order to prevent spreading of the Tumor. I was hospitalized for three months at the Kandy General Hospital and during that period they referred me to the Centre for Handicapped to get an artificial limb.

The authorities at the Centre assessed me and asked me to come back after the wound is healed to give the measurements for an artificial leg and to admit myself to the Centre dormitory. Two days later they fitted an artificial leg and trained me to walk. After a week I was able to walk as a normal person.

I should also not forget the assistance given to me by the Centre for Handicapped for providing me with food and lodging free of charge during the training period.

Now I am ready to go home. After I go back home I can continue my routine work (Farming) and take care of my family.

I would like to convey my sincere thanks and gratitude to the generous donor and members of the Centre for Handicapped for giving me a new life.”

“One day when I was working in my workshop a large timber block fell on to my leg. After the accident my co-workers admitted me to the Kegalle General Hospital where pre-operative medical treatment was given and then they transferred me to the Avissawella General Hospital. From the Avissawella General Hospital they again transferred me to the Colombo General Hospital. The Colombo General Hospital authorities informed me that my right leg below the knee bones is crushed and my leg has to be removed. Accordingly the operation was done and they removed my right leg below the knee.

When I was at hospital a friend of mine visited me and told about the Centre for Handicapped. Soon after I was discharged from hospital I came to the Centre for Handicapped. They said that an artificial limb will cost Rs.15, 000/- (US$ 150/-) which I cannot afford to pay. After I explained the financial problems they said that they will try to find a donor for a limb. Thereafter I was referred to the Physiotherapy Department at this Centre. At this Department both Physiotherapist and Prosthetist assessed me and said I have to bandage my stump (Remaining part of leg) and gave me a date to come back for measurements. When I came to the Centre to give the measurements they informed me that there is a kind donor to sponsor my artificial leg.