(from reports from Elsie James and Prakash Adhikari)
The stumps of Kul's feet have been giving him a lot of trouble. When he visited his home during Dashain, he ended up with a lot of pain, and bleeding in the right foot. His doctor says the problem is that several bone ends are pressing against the tender skin at the amputation site and there is no fat padding there to cushion them. The irritation has caused a bleeding ulcer. He has had surgery to trim the bones, excise the ulcer and have additional fat tissue moved to cover the site. Elsie arranged for one of her staff from the office to stay with him at the hospital for the day, and organised transportation to take him there and back to the Pashupatinath Shelter in the evening.
Prakash Adikhari keeps a close eye on Kul's progress and sees to his expenses which are covered by IPPG's Porter Relief Fund.
The doctor assured us that Kul will be able to walk, although carefully, when his foot is healed and he should be able to wear normal shoes with a soft packing in the toes (such as lamb's wool).
Kul is learning new skills at the workshop. His middle daughter is still with him. Our aim is to find a long-term solution for Kul - one that would get him back with his family and self-sufficient. In the meantime, at least he is looking well and reasonably happy.
PS. Special thanks to Prakash and Elsie who are doing a great job looking after Kul Bahadur, and also to the staff of Himalayan Ecological Trekking who have also been helping.
Volunteers Wanted!
IPPG representatives needed in Germany, Denmark, Spain, Israel, Eastern European countries, in nearly all states of the USA, the Eastern provinces of Canada, and any other country without one.
If you can help or would like more information on what it entails, CONTACT THE REP COORDINATOR Lyn Taylor (australia@ippg.net).
