SPINAL CORD INJURY 193
Jésica also lacks normal bowel and bladder control. From the uncontrolled loss of
urine, she developed pressure sores in her genital area. Vania, an 8-year-old paraplegic
girl, helped treat Jésica’s sores. She also assisted Jésica with a ‘bowel program’, which
helps her ‘time’ her bowel movements (see picture on p. 212). This makes daily activities
and going to school much easier.
Vania treats the pressure sore on Jésica’s foot.
Here Vania cleans and dresses sores on
Jésica’s genital area.
When her feet were straighter, the village
workers made above-knee braces for her and
a simple wood walker. In a few weeks Jésica
was walking.
With practice Jésica was able to walk with
crutches—and finally with only her braces.
Jésica now goes to school in the village. Seeing disabled persons at PROJIMO who
were happy, active, and accepted in the community has given Jésica a more hopeful,
confident, and adventurous outlook on life.
disabled village children