AmeriCares Arranges for Surgery for 6-year-old

AmeriCares Foundation
Friday, 18 October 2002

A 6-year-old girl from Bangladesh has undergone surgery at Shriner's Hospital in Springfield, MA to correct a discrepancy in her left leg, a medical mission arranged by AmeriCares with assistance from Hoyt Livery on Cross Street.

Doctors reported the operation went "extremely well" and they expect her to make a full recovery, gaining normal use of the leg after six weeks in a cast and rehabilitation.

The girl, Lamesa N., had the defect from birth and her family despaired that anything could ever be done for her. "Now," said Barbara McCabe, the director of the AmeriCares Free Clinic in Norwalk, "she's going to be just like every other little girl."

The family, father Nashrat S., mother Morsheda A. and Lamesha, emigrated to the U.S. 1 1/2 years ago and settled in Norwalk.

That something could be done for Lamesha emerged after she appeared at the AmeriCares Free Clinic in South Norwalk for a pre-school physical examination.

As part of a preliminary diagnosis, Norwalk Hospital provided X-rays and then Hoyt Livery, with driver Tyrone Collins, supplied free transportation to the hospital in Springfield.

Lorenzo Holloway, manager of Hoyt Livery, said: "We're glad to help in such a worthwhile undertaking."

The clinic in Norwalk was established by AmeriCares in 1994 as the first of three in the state to furnish primary medical services for those without insurance or adequate coverage.

For more information, or to contact AmeriCares Foundation, see their website at: www.americares.org