Kimlay

Meet Kimlay, age 20. Kimlay is a high school student in the Siem Reap area. She has a deformed right leg and foot and has never been able to walk on two feet—always having to use a crutch. Recently, through CEAF efforts, she was transported from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh where she was examined by a surgeon specialist at the National Pediatric Hospital. His diagnosis was that Kimlay had suffered from polio in her early childhood which resulted in her deformity. After examining her, the doctor gave her three surgical options for correcting her leg and foot problem but added that only one—amputation above the knee and a subsequent prosthesis—would provide the best chance for her to walk normally in the future. After some contemplation and counseling by her guardian, Kimlay decided she indeed wanted to undergo the amputation surgery stating, "If someday I can walk like a lady, then I want to have the surgery." Realizing the surgery and follow-on healing, rehabilitation, prosthesis fitting, and therapy would take nearly a year, she has decided to finish high school first and then have the surgery. Following that time-line means the surgery would take place sometime in 2012. It is estimated the cost for the surgery, the prosthesis, and rehabilitation to follow will be about $3000. CEAF is committed to raising this amount for Kimlay so that when the time comes for her surgery, we will have the needed $3000 in a trust fund for her. If all goes well and the surgery is successful and Kimlay learns to walk with a prosthesis, she then wants to study at a university when she can "walk like a lady." Can you please help us raise the money for Kimlay's procedure? A special donation section is available in the "Donate" tab above.