Back to a normal life thanks to ACCESS project

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

"If it hadn't been for the support I received, all the health problems would have put me down", says Ion G., 61 years old. He used to be an active person, full of energy and dedicated to his job. Most of the time he worked as a locksmith, but after 30 years of employment he had to retire as he was diagnosed with diabetes, hepatitis and heart problems. Despite all these, he strictly followed the treatment and dedicated his time to household activities. Things got worst three years ago when he cut one toe in a wire.Due to hisweak immune system and influenced by diabetes,the wound created complications and in the following months, Ion passed through three consecutive surgeries, the last one consisting in the total amputation of his left leg. He needed a lot of time to cure and found really difficult to accommodate with his new life, but since October 2015, when he became part of ACCESS project developed by World Vision, he has started to see hope and enjoy life again.

Whenever thinks of the time spent in the hospital and the long period of recovery,  Ion face becomes glum and his voice trembles as if he still feels the unbearable pains he got through:

"The bad news came one after another. When I went to the hospital with infection at my toe  they told me that they had to amputate it. After the surgery, they let me go home, but after two weeks the infection recurred and I needed to return to the hospital. I had my leg amputated from the knee and then as the infection was still there I had it totally amputated," recalls  Ion sadly.

The period that followed the amputation surgery proved to be very difficult and a really challenge for  Ion.

"When I got back home, I realized that my universe was totally changed.  I felt exhausted and I couldn't do anything without my wife's help," he remembers.

His two children Daniela, 37, and Cristinel, 36, who work and live abroad, came to visit and stay with him how often they could. Besides, his wife was unconditionally offering him all her love, care and attention. However, despite his family unconditional support,  he felt isolated of the world and useless.

"I missed my daily activities: to work in the garden and help my wife. I also missed to go out in the community and meet people," he adds.

 In October 2015, Ion became a beneficiary of ACCESS project and soon after this he received a wheelchair according to his needs. This proved to be a turning point in his recovery and general mood. He learned to use it rapidly and started to do a lot of things by himself. "

Since I received the wheelchair, I have come back to life and felt myself again. In the morning, I get up from bed using a frame and then I sit in the wheelchair. I go to the bathroom to wash and shave by myself," he says proudly.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     The using of the wheelchair also helped  Ion regain his self-confidence and feel useful:

"I am very happy because I can help my wife with household chores. I collect the fruits from lower branches, sorts the bean, the corn, the sunflower seeds", he adds.

The socializing activities organized within the ACCESS project were also of great importance for Ion. Before Easter, he was invited to participate in a spectacle of folk dances and songs organized by children, with the support of school and local authorities, especially for the persons with disabilities from the community.

"I had a great time and I was very thankful for the invitation. Children were very dedicated and offered us a beautiful performance. Everybody was nice and made us feel comfortable", he recalls. After the show, all the participants had time to talk and change opinions. "It was great to talk with people that face the same challenges as you do. We encouraged one another", he says smiling.

Because he had a great time in the community, Ion started going out more often. He uses to go to the church on Sundays, to watch the local football matches that take place in the community or even to participate in fairs.

"When you are away from home, time passes differently and you forget all your pains", Ion adds.

He was also the first to try the access ramp that was built at the school in the community. Seeing that people with disabilities who come to take part in activities have difficulties to access the event room, the school principal decided to modernize the access ramp and the alley: 

"I am happy to see that people and authorities from our community are more and more dedicated to meet the needs of people with disabilities. Now we can enter the school and participate in the events that are organized there more easily", Ion says.

                          

                   

                                                                                               

Even if the changes that took place in Ion's life weren't at all easy for him, he succeeded to smile again and give sense to each day, being thankful for all the support received. Because his greatest joy is to be active and surrounded by people, he looks forward to attending the next socializing activities that are going to be organized through ACCESS project in his community.