Leeroy is on the school Junior Basketball team. “He’s one of the fastest runners on the team. He also scores a lot of baskets. In fact, he had one of the best seasons recently,” says Roy Chisadza, Leeroy’s father. Leeroy loves having fun and is generally a happy kid. However, little did the 12-year-old boy know that an accident on the basketball court would end his current season for good. A broken leg from the accident resulted with him subsequently visiting the doctor.
The doctor advised that he get an x-ray done with additional tests to indicate the extent of the damage to his leg. For the time being the doctor put a plaster on his leg as the assumption of bone fracture or tear was always on the cards. However, the X-rays revealed something far more grave. Leeroy would have to undergo a complex surgery called Tib Fib open reduction surgery. This surgery would involve inserting plates on the affected area and a recovery time of at least 6 months. “When we were informed about this from the doctor we were very saddened, we know how much Leeroy loves to play outdoors” said a noticeably saddened Roy.
In addition, this complex surgery was performed by only a handful of specialist in Zimbabwe and getting an appointment was no easy task. Another cause for concern among the parents was the fact that Leeroy would be administered General Anaesthesia. This meant he would be under deep sleep for a considerable amount of time. Realising the urgency of the operation and the need for some form of anaesthetic, they wanted to avoid this form of anaesthesia as far as possible.
Considering their obvious predicament they did what most people do, they Googled “fractured leg”. Among the first few Google search results, they saw Vaidam.com. They read the story of patients traveling for Fracture treatment in a best orthopedic hospital in India. Roy Chisadza made an enquiry and was immediately given options for surgery and rehabilitation from multiple hospitals in India. Seeing how this initial search yielded such a positive response, Roy was eager to know whether this complex problem could possibly have a happy and easy ending. “I was so curious to find not one but multiple options that gave us the right treatment and more importantly options that were well within our budget”. After going through the possible options, Ray decided to go with Indian Spinal Injuries Hospital in New Delhi.
To facilitate their easy arrival, the Vaidam team made arrangements for the family’s Visa and considering that Leeroy was using a wheelchair at the time - the much needed fit-to-fly certificates. “We were so relieved to be picked up at the airport, it’s good to know that someone is there for you in a foreign country”. With all the necessary travel documents on-hand, the family departed for India on the 16th of February.
After being picked up from the airport by one of Vaidam’s patient relations team members, they were immediately taken to the hospital. At the hospital, the staff was eagerly awaiting the patient’s arrival and promptly took the family to their private room. After the initial tests were completed, specialist surgeon Dr. Vivek Mahajan began the surgery on the 18th. To their relief the doctors were going to use a local anaesthetic, which meant that Leeroy would not be under intense sedation. “The overall experience at the hospital was very good and surgeon was one of the best orthopedic doctors in India. Finding time to interact with doctors was always easy. We always got the answers we needed and they made us feel at-ease.”
After 3 days in the hospital, Leeroy was discharged, and was happy that the ordeal was finally over. “I missed basketball this season but its only one season; I look forward to returning to my hometown and maybe playing basketball very soon”.
After 10 days in India the family returned to their hometown in Zimbabwe; happy with the treatment they received and glad to spread the good news about Vaidam. Roy Chisadza’s final words to Vaidam were: “We did not have to pay anything to Vaidam, your services and help were completely free. That is just unbelievable. We are truly grateful for all the help and support we got and would like to thank you from the bottom of our heart”.