Juan Castro is an 18-year-old young man from Joyabaj. He was born with spinal bifida and has never been able to use his legs. Once a month, a family member would pull him on a plastic tricycle so that he could learn a little bit about the world outside the walls of his house.
As years passed, he began to suffer from serious infections, and his ankle joints were completely destroyed from dragging his feet on the ground whenever he attempted to move himself on his tricycle. After several evaluations conducted by HELPS' Medical team, it was confirmed that the infections were endangering his life, and that, unless he underwent a drastic surgery, he would never be able to walk.
During one of HELPS' medical missions in May 2009, Dr. Brandon Freeman, a HELPS plastic surgeon, and Robert Dirksen, prosthetic specialist, both worked together to amputate Juan's legs in a way that would allow them to attach prosthetic replacements. During Thanksgiving week, the prosthesis team returned to Joyabaj to give Juan Castro new legs. Those who were at the HELPS office in November said that Juan beamed throughout the entire fitting of his new legs. His dad plans to make a 10-foot long concrete path where Juan Castro can learn to walk for the first time.
Juan Castro has never attended school, but his father taught him how to read and write. In January, thanks to the generosity of donors in the U.K. led by Nanci Austin, Juan Castro will be able to attend school for the first time. HELPS is currently working with his family and the community to figure out the best way to make this life-changing transition smooth for him.
Juan Castro is an 18-year-old young man from Joyabaj. He was born with spinal bifida and has never been able to use his legs. Once a month, a family member would pull him on a plastic tricycle so that he could learn a little bit about the world outside the walls of his house.
a way that would allow them to attach prosthetic replacements. During Thanksgiving week, the prosthesis team returned to Joyabaj to give Juan Castro new legs. Those who were at the HELPS office in November said that Juan beamed throughout the entire fitting of his new legs. His dad plans to make a 10-foot long concrete path where Juan Castro can learn to walk for the first time.