Personal Account – Mr. Keita, who benefitted from an orthopaedic device thanks to the support of Monaco's Official Development Assistance to the Father Bernard Verspieren Centre (Mali)

Prosthesis made at the Father Bernard Verspieren Centre thanks to the support of Monaco's Official Development Assistance copyright S. Darrasse/Realis/DCI  

He states:  “the driver of the vehicle which hit me head on, whilst I was driving my motorbike, is still on the run.  After a long stay in hospital in Kati, where my left femur was amputated as it had been crushed by the wheels of the vehicle, I learned of the existence of the Father Bernard Verspieren Centre and the support it offers with orthopaedic devices.

At first, I didn't think they'd be able to do much.  But when the staff made my physical assessment, they decided to fit me with apparatus that I couldn't have afforded to pay for.  I greeted this news with caution, because I was really worried.  Despite everything, I followed the rehabilitation programme, even learning to walk again.  After a few sessions, I began to regain my independence little by little, and to feel better and better in the femoral brace they gave me. 

Today, I walk normally, I was able to finish my studies and pass my marketing diploma.  I'm currently looking for a job that will enable me to build my life.  Without the support of the Verspieren Centre, I would have had to give up my diploma and be forced to live with that disability."

As a reminder, the support of Monaco's Official Development Assistance enables the Father Bernard Verspieren Centre to make orthopaedic devices on site.  Since 2013, more than 1,500 devices (prostheses, orthoses and technical aids) have been produced by the Centre, which helps people with motor disabilities, as well as children with Cerebral 

Mohamed Keita