Mamadou

Mercy Ships volunteer plastics surgeon, Dr. Tertius Venter, had rarely seen a condition like Mamadou’s. According to Dr. Tertius, “Mamadou was born with radial club hands, with only four fingers on each hand. The front sides of his hands are underdeveloped and bend downward on an angle. His elbow joints have also been affected. On his left arm, the joint is working fairly well – but, on the right side, the joint is stiff and cannot bend all of the way.”

Mamadou came to the Mercy Ships patient screening day on his own, not wanting to disappoint his family if he could not have surgery. When he was given a surgery date, he joyfully informed his mother and little sister, who came to stay with him during his two surgeries and recovery. 

 

Mamadou’s follow-up surgery, planned by Dr. Tertius, will take Mamadou’s index finger and reposition it to create a thumb so that Mamadou’s left arm will look and function almost normally. Dr. Tertius decided to leave Mamadou’s right arm as is. The only other alternative in Mamadou’s situation was a straight arm without the ability to bend, which would have kept his right hand out of reach to be helpful.

Mamadou has been a diligent patient, faithfully completing his required exercises. Volunteer doctor Lydia Marx shows Mamadou his latest x-rays that confirm that his healing is on track.

Mamadou has adapted to his situation, fully utilizing the functionality his arms do have. He is a successful sheep owner and lamb producer, even with two bent arms. As Mamadou says, “Just think of what I can accomplish with one fully functioning arm and a hand that can continue to help!”

For Mamadou, the prospect of one normal arm and one still misshapen arm does not dampen his determination to successfully support his family. He and his mother met with a local education official to discuss adult learning options he could pursue while also starting his own business.

 

Mamadou is especially grateful to Mercy Ships for seeing him as a smart young person with great potential for the future. Mamadou thanks Mercy Ships for, “giving me hope and courage to show the world that I, like any normal eldest son, can support my family with the many abilities God did give me.”