{"id":11484,"date":"2019-11-18T13:24:26","date_gmt":"2019-11-18T11:24:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.esmt.berlin\/voices\/?p=11484"},"modified":"2022-09-06T16:08:03","modified_gmt":"2022-09-06T14:08:03","slug":"how-a-school-football-game-changed-arnolds-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.esmt.berlin\/voices\/how-a-school-football-game-changed-arnolds-life\/","title":{"rendered":"How a school football game changed Arnold’s life"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Everyone\u2019s story is different, and Arnold Mwaringa\u2019s is certainly that. <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Before
Before the incident, Arnold with his football team. He is on the standing row, second from the left<\/em> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The turning point in Arnold\u2019s life<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ten years ago, at just 17 years old, Arnold was playing football at school when one of his classmates trod on his foot. He had to be carried home. His parents were not on good terms back then. They did not understand his condition and did not think it was too serious to require hospitalization. He was left alone to suffer in utter pain before going to the hospital a month later. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Days
Days before the amputation of Arnold\u2019s left leg: The fibrous mass grew to 140 grammes<\/em> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As soon as they admitted him, the doctors had to amputate his infected left leg, as it was too late to save it. The infection led to a dense nodular fibrous mass. After the amputation, Arnold fell into severe depression and denial, as he never expected to lose a leg as a result of an insignificant injury on the football pitch. He was concerned about the way people would perceive him and whether they would underestimate his capabilities. He had to stay in the hospital to recover for a month and a half. For the following four months, he used a wheelchair and crutches, before receiving his first and only prosthesis \u0336 the one he had been wearing for the last ten years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The prosthesis he received back then left him in constant pain, and the effect it had on his mobility, despite being an improvement, left him unhappy and largely dissatisfied with what he was physically able to achieve. He was bound to limited types of activities. The undeveloped rural infrastructure of the small village of Malindi, where Arnold lives, made getting by even harder. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
The old prosthesis and crutches Arnold used for the last ten years<\/em> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After talking for some time, it was Arnold\u2019s turn to be fitted with Amparo\u2019s Confidence Socket. The procedure took around an hour before Arnold was able to stand, and even jump out of excitement. Arnold was on cloud nine. His joyful vibes were spreading in the room that a few minutes later everyone at the workshop room was dancing on the latest local hit songs in Kenya, celebrating Arnold\u2019s bliss.    <\/p>\n\n\n\n