Ana Violeta Lemus has spent most of her life as a wife, mother, and teacher. She has dedicated herself to educating children and spent many years as a second-grade teacher. Even after the death of her husband, she felt a purpose because her students were waiting for her each day.

Ana’s knees began to fail her. After suffering through the pain for ten years, she regretfully decided that she could no longer teach. She began to rely on her three children to help her around the house and provide her with daily needs, such as a place to live and food to eat.

Ana found out about Operation Walk through a family whose mother received a hip surgery from our organization. She felt that this was a ray of hope, that if she could receive knee replacement surgery, she could regain her independence and go back to the job that she loved. Ana traveled over an hour from her coastal town in Guatemala to Antigua to see if she had a chance to qualify for surgery. To her delight, she was chosen to receive the first surgery not only of the day but of our trip to Guatemala.

Dr. Ken Gustke and his team from Tampa, Florida, replaced Ana’s right knee successfully, and an hour and a half later, she was up on her feet. Ana has a very strong work ethic and was ready to start rehabilitation right away. She practiced several times the day of her surgery and was a constant presence in the halls of the hospital the following day. On the morning of the second day after surgery, Ana’s youngest son made the trip to the hospital and Ana declared that it was time to go home. Her doctors and physical therapists agreed and Ana was released. She is thrilled with her progress and knows with some hard work she will be able to return to her second graders this coming January. She thanks the team and those who give to Operation Walk because “they made my dearest wish come true.”

We got an update from one of our patients in Nicaragua, Jose Salomon Agurcia, and his son, Juan Agurcia Rivas. We met Jose in May 2016 in Managua, where he underwent bilateral knee surgery. Below is a letter he wanted to share about his progress. Pictured is Jose and his surgeon, Dr. Audley Mackel, and one of our dedicated volunteers, Carolyn Miller.

“My thanks to Operation Walk.

On May 9, 2016, almost a year ago, I underwent surgery on both knees at the Hospital Roberto Calderón school in Managua, Nicaragua. I was attended to by surgeons, physical therapists, nurses and other Operation Walk volunteers. God bless you and continue to make a great work for the world. You are noble, educated friends, and with a humble smile tenderly that greatness.

We hope to see you in my country to visit, I feel good thanks to you.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”

José Salomon Agurcia

Pramod is a 26-year-old teacher from Janakphur, Nepal. He suffers from Ankylosing Spondylitis, a disease that causes the joints and spine to fuse, thus restricting range and ease of movement. Last year, Pramod was screened by Dr. Ram K. Shah, head of the Orthopedic Department at Nepal Medical College. Dr. Shah runs an outreach program for individuals who may benefit from joint replacement surgery but are unable to afford treatment.

It was Dr. Shah’s hope that this surgery would provide Pramod with the means to lift himself out of poverty and rid himself of the stigma of disability. Oftentimes in villages like Pramod’s, people who suffer from debilitating diseases are seen as less than human and are not afforded opportunities given to others. Dr. Shah felt that Pramod would be the perfect candidate for Operation Walk. He told Pramod that the organization would be coming to Nepal the following year and could provide him with the surgeries he so desperately needed.

Pramod was troubled because he lives in extreme poverty and did not have the means to make a second trip to Kathmandu. Dr. Shah promised to pay for Pramod and his brother’s transportation costs and the nominal fee charged by the hospital that covered the cost of labs, laundry and meals. Each week that passed, Pramod would call for updates on the status of Operation Walk. This November, Pramod got the news that it was time for him to receive his surgery. Pramod was screened by the team during the initial day of Operation Walk and was slated to have surgery the following Sunday. Dr. William Long and Dr. Brett Greenky performed bilateral hip surgery that lasted a little over four hours. The next morning, Pramod was able to stand and walk for the first time. He continues to work on both mobility and flexibility.

The doctors replaced not only the deformed and fused bone, but also released the soft tissue around the hip to afford Pramod with increased range of motion. Pramod has thrown himself into his exercises and delights the physical therapy staff with his positive attitude. He continues to get stronger with each session. Through the reduction of his disability, Pramod will be able to reclaim his place in his community, earn a living, marry and have a family of his own one day. Dr. Shah framed the mission that we are all invested in Operation Walk by so clearly stating: “We are here as human beings to generate hope and by generating hope we generate life.”This hope shines in Pramod’s eyes with each new step he takes.

Thuong has had knee pain for 20 years.She lives with her sixty year old mother who was unable to travel to Hanoi for Thuong’s surgery. The only relative she had in Hanoi was her aunt, who could not be there on her surgery day.

As I tried to help her to get clean for her surgery, I saw the most precious thing: camaraderie.Another mid-age woman who was one bed away from Thuong got up and help her prepare for surgery. This woman also suffered from chronic knee pain, and had so for years. Every step she took to get to Thuong’s bed, she put forth genuine effort not to cry out loud in pain. She sat down and started to use the soap the hospital provided to clean Thuong’s knees.

“Sister, can you help me keep my bag while I am in the surgery?” Thuong asked the woman.“Sure, leave it with me. I will guard it for you. Don’t worry about a thing,” the woman replied.Later, when Thuong was in the OR, I asked the woman:

– “Have you two known each other before?”

– “No, we just met yesterday”

I looked at her and was stunned at how easily I had forgotten the trust that can be established between human beings. Having five to six patients in a 4mx 7m is not ideal. However, I saw something so beautiful, so human in that crowded patients’ room.

There was a genuine friendship that was formed between patients who needed not only medical care, but also love and support.