Walking aids

2003
Ketut Kartawa is 35 years old and a polio patient. He is married and has two children. Ketut was able move about without aids, despite his left leg being shortened and deformed. He was managing well and earned a living as a guitarist in a band until he was involved in a road accident a year ago when he was riding pillion on a moped. He suffered trauma to his back and legs. No clear diagnosis has ever been made. After months in pain in bed, he could hardly move and could only crawl with great difficulty over short distances. An operation, which could only be performed in Jakarta, was beyond Ketut and his family and furthermore there was no guarantee of success. He could not, of course, earn a living from his sickbed and Ketut's father provided for the family. He felt under increasing pressure to "get on his own feet" again and earn money and so increasingly suffered from depression. For a long time he did not leave the house and avoided social contacts. His wife said that there was little left of the cheerful man he had once been.

Nevertheless, at a given point he started to exercise at home and he proved able to move by crawling. Later, he practiced standing up using borrowed wooden crutches and took a few steps. The crutches were, however, much too long and he had to hold them at 45 degrees to stand. At this time, neighbours put Ketut in touch with staff of APA Foundation. He was offered the use of some crutches and a walking frame to help improve his walking.

The occupational therapist associated with APA Foundation assisted Ketut in their use. He quickly noticed that his walking was going much better than he had dared hope. Eventually Ketut opted to (temporarily) use a walking frame.

2005
For various reasons, it was two years before we could visit Ketut again. He is walking much better but unfortunately his spine is even more deformed (scoliosis).
After discussion, it was decided to take x-rays and they showed that his left hip and leg were overburdened as a result of serious scoliosis in the back. It was decided not to operate since such an operation in Indonesia involves such risk that the chance of success is not great. But there would be no guarantee that Ketut would in the end make much progress even if the operation could be performed by a foreign surgeon with aftercare in Indonesia or entirely abroad. The consideration is whether the benefits would outweigh the disadvantages.
In consultation with Marieke de Wit, Ketut was measured for a brace to support his left leg and improve his posture: this would allow a test of what the use of a brace could offer for short distances. To avoid overburdening his right leg and back, it was recommended that Ketut uses a wheelchair for longer distances. The brace was offered by Marieke de Wit. APA Foundation supplied a wheelchair. At the same time, Ketut still has the walking frame to use in combination with the brace. In the future, we will see which aids are useful.

Ketut was told about workshops and courses at Senang Hati. To date he has not been able to resume his old work. In the near future, Ketut will consider his opportunities for earning an income. Courses at Senang Hati are free but APA Foundation can contribute to the cost of transport, accommodation and material.