Rasika Sampath lost both legs when he was hit by a train and his future looked bleak but thanks to Bridge 2 Sri Lanka, he has new hope. Pictured in Candie Gardens, he will be on his way home today. (Picture by Tom Tardif, 0806637)
A SRI LANKAN man is mobile again thanks to his determination to succeed and the generosity of islanders.
Rasika Sampath, 24, thought he would never walk again when he lost both legs in a railway accident in 2006.
But with a set of prosthetic limbs, he is on the road to recovery.
Bridge 2 Sri Lanka founder Sarah Griffith met Mr Sampath in October.
‘I was immediately taken with this charismatic young man and he could speak very little English. I asked his sister if he had just one wish what it would be and she said, “new legs, Madam”.’
Ms Griffith began fund-raising to buy Mr Sampath prosthetic limbs but when it was clear that was not possible financially or medically in Sri Lanka, she contacted retired Guernsey surgeon Roger Allsopp, who referred her to the Dorset Orthopaedic Clinic.
On 29 April, Mr Sampath, who could not put into words the difference the legs will make to his life, had his first assessment at the clinic. He has been in Guernsey since, travelling to and from Dorset while his artificial limbs have been made and fitted.
He took his first steps on 3 May.
‘It’s almost miraculous. I don’t think, in 40 years, I have ever seen anybody progress like he has,’ said Mr Allsopp. He put it down to the level of care and Mr Sampath’s will to succeed.
Casts were made from his legs to create silicone liners, to which the prosthetics were then screwed.
‘The Dorset Clinic are exceptional in the care they take in fitting the legs, which is critical,’ said Dr Allsopp.
Ms Griffith said it would take 90% more effort for Mr Sampath to put one foot in front of the other than an able-bodied person. ‘He is truly an inspiration,’ she said.
Almost £30,000 was raised locally.
‘It is difficult to imagine anywhere else in the world where this could have happened. It is a great tribute to the island,’ said Mr Allsopp.
Mr Sampath goes back to Sri Lanka today and the team hope the new legs can cope with the tropical heat and humidity.
While in Guernsey he has been taught jewellery making and will be returning home to work at the Bridge 2 Sri Lanka workshop.
Article posted on 16th July, 2009 - 2.29pm
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