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Eight-year-old fitted with artificial limb

From Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Dec. 29. Three years after a gruesome tragedy which shattered her childhood, Akhila's life is set to take a new turn. The eight-year-old who lost her right arm in an accident is recovering in a U.S. hospital after being fitted with an artificial limb.

Doctors at the Hangers Prosthetics and Orthotics Centre in Texas have successfully replaced the limb, according to an e-mail information received by the child's parents here today. Akhila was taken to the U.S. for expert medical treatment by the House of Charity, an organisation based in Houston.

The charity is headed by Hashmat Effendy, a Pakistani national.

While the Hanger's Institute is offering free treatment, the House of Charity will look after the child till she is fit to return home. The Non-Resident Keralites Association (NoRKA) is footing the bill for Akhila's travel.

For the anxious parents who could not accompany their daughter on this trip, the news of the successful replacement of the arm has come as a big relief. Her father, Buhari, who is a primary school teacher hopes that the artificial limb would enable the child to lead a normal life. The parents are eagerly awaiting the return of their daughter in February.

She will require periodic replacement of the prosthesis up to the age of 20.

The tragic accident had happened near Nedumangad on September 11, 2002, when the bus in which the family was travelling collided with another vehicle. Akhila's arm was sheared off at the shoulder.

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