The accident, which occurred when he was hit by a bus in his native country of Ecuador, had left the young man uncertain about his future. A chance encounter at a gym connected him with members of the Shriners Children’s medical team who were in the country on a mission trip.
In September, Shriners Children's was able to bring Johan and his mother, Ruth, to the United States for the first time. Thanks to the skilled team at Shriners Children’s Lexington, Johan received his first prosthetic leg just a few days later and, remarkably, was walking just minutes after the fitting.
Speaking through a translator, Johan expressed his gratitude: “For the first time in forever, I feel complete.”
I have never seen anyone excel like that in my 20 years doing this.
Eric Miller, the manager of the in-house Pediatric Orthotic and Prosthetic Services department, was amazed by Johan’s rapid progress as he walked through the hallways at the medical center unassisted, and performed exercises in the physical therapy gym. Johan even went up and down stairs.
Johan’s story is a testament to the life-changing work at Shriners Children’s and the incredible strength of spirit our patients exhibit. As he prepared to return to Ecuador just one day after receiving his prosthetic, Johan said he understands he still has much to learn about using it every day, but is thankful for the progress made toward healing.
“The care at Shriners Children’s was excellent, so good,” he said. “It was like my destiny to come here.”
Johan and his mother, Ruth, with POPS manager Eric Miller and Chief of Staff Vishwas Talwalkar, M.D.
Physical therapist Adrianne Marx shows Johan some exercises he can practice at home to strengthen his core and make walking with his new prosthetic easier.
Eric Miller, manager of the in-house Pediatric Orthotic and Prosthetic Services department, fits Johan with his first prosthetic. The patient lost his leg in a motorcycle accident.
