Help for boys to walk again

2009/11/24

By Annie Freeda Cruez

KUALA LUMPUR: Muhammad Shazwan Zuki, 19, and Muhamad Azrul Shafiq Adnan, 16, are two lucky boys. Their appeal for artificial legs in the New Straits Times on Nov 19 was answered by Neptune Club, Petaling Jaya, and Metro Club, Klang, which donated a total of RM15,600.

Metro Club assistant club manager Kelvin Lee said: "We were touched by the plight of the two boys and decided to donate the money.

"Furthermore, the boys are young and studying, and they need the artificial legs to be independent."

He said the club's 800 members contributed every month towards charity which has improved the quality of life of many people.

"We feel that it's part of our social responsibility," said Metro club manager M.C. Yap and Neptune Club manager Priscilla K.B.

Metro Club assistant club manager Kelvin Lee (left) and club manager M.C. Yap (centre) presenting their club’s donation to Muhamad Azrul Shafiq Adnan while Neptune Club manager Priscilla K.B. presents hers to Muhammad Shazwan Zuki.

Shazwan, who lost his right leg in a motorcycle accident in June, said: "I am thankful to God that I can get my artificial leg and go back to college. I have not been attending classes since the accident."

He was hospitalised for two months, with doctors operating on him four times in the first week due to an infection of the wound. Eventually, his leg had to be amputated above the knee.

Although Shazwan could walk with crutches, he finds it difficult to climb the staircase at his college.

He needs an above-knee prosthesis with a four-bar knee and motion control foot costing RM7,800.

"I want to complete my two year certification course in air-conditioning maintenance and move on with life," said the first year student of a community college.

Azrul Shafiq, a Form Four student of SM Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah, Kajang, is also looking forward to continuing his studies.

"I only attended about three weeks of classes and then I fell sick," he said.

Azrul Shafiq, a bone cancer patient, needs a similar prosthesis for his left leg which was amputated in August.

His trauma started when he fell while playing football in January. Despite doctors doing their best to treat him, his leg continued to be swollen.

The doctors at Kajang Hospital then decided to refer him to Kuala Lumpur Hospital where he was diagnosed as suffering from bone cancer.

"I went through three rounds of chemotherapy but to no avail. The doctors then decided to amputate my leg. I then went through another three cycles of chemotherapy.

"Now, I am all right and need the artificial leg to go back to school next year," said Azrul Shafiq.

Both the boys thanked the NST and their donors, and are expected to be fitted with the artificial legs by next week.