Author Archives: Bruno

Back to School

Posted on by under Health, Memorial
Hola Kristiina,
Here we go again for an update on Dani´s progress. Please find the latest details coming from Tesfaye:
February 21st:
“He is doing very fine and the wound at the left heel is fully recovered. This couple of days
on 17/02/20017 and 21/02/2017 we were in prosthetic orthopaedic center for the new
 left leg -KAFO, knee ankle foot orthopaedics- that prescribed doctor Tim for correction of knee and ankle, in order to keep normal posture and for stability during standing and walking.
Tomorrow February 22, he has appointment in Christmas hospital for his continuous follow up that he was appointed, after four months, with doctor Zenebe, for his epilepsy; though his epilepsy is controlled for a year and three months now.”
March 4th:
“On February 22, Zelalem and I have taken Dani to Dr.Zenebe for his continuous follow up.

After we have explained Dani is in good condition and his epileptic attack is almost controlled, the Doctor has decided to decrease the medication for five months.

On this week Dani has also continued to go back to the school again after four months rest due to the surgery. He is happy and excited.”
Advertisement

The Third

Posted on by under Health, Memorial

The first year was the beginning of a beautiful project. Resilience channeled towards assistance.

The second year was fond memories. Assistance settled, provided continuity to the project, and hopefully Dani felt a glimpse of routine in his daily work.

The third year has being joy through inspiration. You keep strongly inspiring us.

Thank you Kristiina for the values left.

Thank you to those who directly and from the shadows keep believing in this project and in Dani.

Dani In Progress

Posted on by under Health, Memorial

Hola Kristiina,

Tesfaye has regularly updated on Dani´s progress throughout the pre-surgery, surgery and recovery process. Please see daily excerpts:

Nov. 6th

“Today November six is his admission to the cure hospital. Now he is in the hospital with Alem (the Nani) and the Nurses informed me; the operation will take place by tomorrow. I will late you know everything by tomorrow. I believe every good things will happen for Dani.”

Nov. 8th

“Dani is in operation room now. I will update you after they finish.”
Nov. 8th
“Dr Tim, American Orthopedics surgeon done  Dani’s operation and it  went very well, it takes Dani two hour and half to wake up from anesthesia, by the time he wakes up he is

concision ,alert and oriented. Know he is stable and doing very well.”

Nov. 10th
“I have passed your kiss and your masege to Dani; He is getting better know.
This days the staff at cure hospital and the Nanis from Sile Enat were very caring and supportive for Dani. He is out (discharged) from hospital today; and he has appointment for follow up on November 30,because of the surgery and the cast Dani is in bed in Sile Enat and he is not allowed to sit or stand with his leg for three weeks.

I would like to thank on behalf of you for those who have been giving great support and care for Dani.”

Nov. 20th
“Dani is doing better although he didn’t like it to be on bed all day and night. He has almost made it, he has left with 10 more days for his appointment. Since he was on bed he was having constipation; now he is doing fine with ORS and home made foods. He has many stimulation and encouragement  as much as possible from the care givers and volunteers. I have also able to see him twice a day although i couldn’t do a lot of things on him beside bed side physiotherapy to avoid bed complication.”
Dec. 1st
Yesterday November 30 we take Dani for his appointment in cure hospital,and the long leg cast(cast above the knee) is changed to the short leg cast(cast below the knee) and has
measurement for ankle foot orthosis. Since in the past three weeks Dani was in cast,today when they remove and reapply the cast  it was very painful for Dani. Till he will get better this time is uncomfortable for him. In this second phase as he gets better from the pain he can sit on his wheelchair since the cast is below the knee and he will has better interaction out of his bed. And his next appointment will be for December 14. For this days I have planned to visit him daily and do physiotherapy until he will get better from the pain,that is mainly on the left knee because of three weeks in cast that causes sign of stiffness.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Minor Surgery, Major Step

Posted on by under Health, Memorial
Hola Kristiina,
I am glad to pass on to you the following news coming from Tesfaye. There will be a minor event, hopefully turning into a major outcome:
“We have taken Dani to Cure hospital on September 23, 2016 as per
the appointment.
Two Orthopedic Doctors assessed and checked over Dani after
I have explained about his current general health condition; they have
come up with the idea to do minor surgery(tendon release)
over Dani’s left Achilles and hamstring to help him to extend the knee
and to Dorsiflex the ankle joint (to make the foot to stand on it), and
they recommend for him to continue his anti epileptic drugs.
The plan after surgery is to use properly fit knee ankle foot orthosis
(KAFO) for left leg and ground reaction ankle foot orthosis  (AFO)
for right leg to control the ankle instability.
As per Dani’s surgery schedule he will check in on November 6,2016 that will be on Sunday and he will undergo surgery
on the next days (most probably on Monday).
Dani will also have neurosurgey follow up with Doctor Zenebe before
his surgery on October 16.
I have attached for you Dani’s day in cure hospital and
while he was taking hip X-ray as well.”

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Rainy Addis

Posted on by under Health, Memorial
Hola Kristiina,
Rainy season is once again hitting Addis, and Dani is making the best out of it with Tesfaye`s valuable help. He is cheerful, as usual, and eager to keep practicing, despite of the inconveniences.
Here, please find a few recalls from Tesfaye:
August 8th,
Dani is doing good and i have passed your big hug and plenty of kisses;

he is very happy as always he does.

Dani is showing a very good improvement in his gait (walking) activity
with the support of left KAFO (knee ankle foot orthosis) and with right
side axillary crutch. he is know walking slowly about 30 meters;it is like

walking distance from his bed room to physiotherapy room.

Hope fully this will improve his endurance,strength, cardiovascular
and his over all functional activity even better.
July 30th,

I have passed your plenty of kisses for Dani;he has responded with happy smile as always.

I have taken him for his appointment to Dr.Zenebe on July 14, after we explained Dani has
good general conditions, no epileptic attack for almost nine to ten months and he is  on school brake
as well ,then The Dr.the decided to decrease the dose of carpamazapine to 50mg morning
and night;that was 50mg morning and 100mg night and to continue with the same dose of phentoin.
Dani is doing good with the new dose still he doesn’t show any withdrawal symptoms;he is doing very good.
And Dr.Zenebe give us next appointment for October 14 after three months to see any symptoms.
July 4th,
Although this days the weather of Addis is  Rain,chilly and cloudy;

Dani is able to manage it very well.He is doing good with his general appearance and regular physiotherapy.

We have received Dani’s school certificate from mekinisa school,
That his card shows in two pages written in Amharic , subjects he has been taking(Food training,physical exercise,communication,matching and training,self care,toilet training,and painting) and improvement he has scored.
Dan’s Teachers state on his card that he has  good improvement on
concentration,understanding, remembering, and fallowing orders, after comparing his activity through out the year.This is one big step for Dani,exposing him to different environment and situations helps a lot to improve his memory and motor learning.
This will  be a good indication to see even better challenges and more exposure to different new environments in the future.
Dani”s Continues follow up with Dr.Zenebe in chrismass hospital after two months will be in July,14;We will take him and discuss again about his medications.

Happy Birthday

Posted on by under Health, Memorial, Travel

Hola Pupu,

It is your birthday again, and I’m so glad to present you our humble gifts.

Dani is doing good. He is taken out to socialize once in a while, meet people and have good times in shops or restaurants. He is thrilled about it.

I am on my way to Santiago, and yourself and Aleksandra are by my side.

image

image

image

El Muru peregrino.

The Adolescent

Posted on by under Health, Memorial

Dani

Hola Kristiina,

Dani looks like a young man. The child we knew is starting to fade away, turning into an adolescent.

Please find Tesfaye’s recount on his last events:

“Dear Roberto; how are you these days?

Dani is doing good and I have passed all your meseges about his
learning, practice and that you are thinking a lot about him as well.
He was very happy and he was saying “eshi, eshi…”that is to say Ok,Ok….

In the last week, Zelalem and I took him out for Dinner out side Sele Enat compound,
it was a good experience for Dani; he was giving his charming face and hand for
greeting to every body passing beside him.

Dani was busy the past weeks beside his class and practice, we also took him for shopping as well to buy for him jackets, tshirts, underwears,
trousers and what he needs especially for this rainy time and he was very happy.

Oona has also come to visit Dani as well.

Dear Roberto;Thank you very much for everything.

Best Regards.”

“Dear Roberto;How are you doing?
Dani is doing fine, he has no epileptic attack even after his last appointment.
he is showing good progression with standing and walking.
And he is still attending his classes,they will close the school
for summer after two weeks.
Thank you very much for everything.
Best Regards,
Tesfaye”

Growth

Posted on by under Health, Memorial

Hola Kristiina,

Last developments in Dani´s life are positive. While he practices daily, the incidences on his health are diminishing. At the same time, he is growing. Soon, he will be a grown up. In the meanwhile, Tesfaye is taking good care on his routine, encouraging him to continue practicing.

Let me show you a few graphic evidences.

 

Two Years

Posted on by under Health, Memorial

Hola Kristiina,

Since your departure our lives continued regardless the pain and the feeling of solitude. At times, living joyfully seems walking uphill. Many others, daily routine becomes a pleasure filled with valuable experiences, worth living every single minute. The last one was certainly your legacy.

My recent time off has certainly not been Dani’s. He has not been stationary. On the contrary, he has moved surely and all times accompanied by Tesfaye. Please find a comprehensive recount on the previous weeks:

December 3, 2015

Dear Roberto; how are you?

Dani’s General health looks fine and stable with the epilepsy attack the past five months. He has been continuing to attend his class regularly as well.

On the October Dani was celebrating birth day with friends and visiting families.

 

I have attached Dani’s picture while he is training with KAFO.

 

January 5, 2016

Dear Roberto

How are you; how is Christmas and New Year?

Dani is doing fine.

These days he has been showing amazing effort to help himself, taking footsteps with his crutch and KAFO, moving with wheelchair independently from his sleeping room to the football field which is very

Important activity that help him to participate with children any time he wants, he is trying to wear clothes with minimal assistance, and he continued to go to the school.

Dani was also having a great new experience that he never had before; Volunteers (T.J helling and the porch swim team) came to visit the children and took them for swimming in a local Hotel including Dani. Dani’s water experience was great and he was fine after swimming. This kind of challenge will bring better improvement and skills for him, the team were done a great job that makes all children happy.

I have attached pictures of Dani’s footsteps, swimming and video if that works for you; during swimming and how he could able to manage his wheelchair to go to the field.

 

January 18, 2016

On 14/01/2016 we took Dani to Dr.Zenabe with Zelalem for his continuous follow up after three months of appointment.

 

He has asked how is Dani doing? We explain that Dani’s general appearance is looking good and he doesn’t show any epileptic attack for the past six to seven months after he has been taking drug combination of Phenitoin BID(100mg in the morning and night) and carpamazepine BID(50mg in the morning and 100mg in the night).

The Dr. explained that it will be good to reduce the of carpamazepine dose in order to decrease its side effects and he has planned to change to 50mg BID(in the morning and night), for now to continue with the same dose not to disturb his classes with withdrawal sign and symptoms and to change it after four months.
Dani’s next appointment to Dr Zenebe will be on May 13/5/2016.

IMG_20160207_233909