A Double Celebration: Mohamed Mara’s New Myoelectric Hands; PEI Generosity
After a year-long campaign to raise funds, Mohamed Mara has received his myoelectric hands.
Posted: Monday 5th October 2009 11:17 (Updated: Thursday 3rd June 2010 07:38)
Friends and family gathered last month to celebrate with Mohamed Mara as he returned from being fitted with new hands in Fredericton.
Mohamed Mara’s New Myoelectric Hands
Friends of Mohamed in partnership with Murphy’s Pharmacies invited Islanders to a celebration on Saturday, May 15, at the Sherwood Shopping Centre .
Mohamed arrived home on April 23 with his new myoelectric hands after a number of appointments and fittings directed by a prosthetist and occupational therapist at the UNB Institute of Biomedical Engineering. His final visit involved a week-long orientation for the efficient practical use of the hands. His most often repeated words since he came home are, “I am very happy”.
Friends of Mohamed, originally consisting of ten interested people, including Mohamed, was established on March 11, 2009. The formal fundraising campaign was launched on June 17, 2009.The goal was to raise $80,000 the amount required to purchase the hands and provide for seven years maintenance. To kick-start the effort, Murphy’s Pharmacies pledged $15,000 and offered to be an active campaign partner. Soon after that, a generous family donated $4,500, which they correctly identified as 10% of the capital cost of the hands. To-date the campaign resulted in $62,000. With enough commitment from other sources the Friends will be able to do more maintenance and upgrading for a longer term than originally planned. From the beginning the decision was that as soon as amount needed to purchase the hands ($45,000) was raised, Mohamed would begin his appointments at the UNB Institute of Biomedical Engineering.
Friends of Mohamed hope that the warmth and generosity which Islanders are displaying will help to heal many aspects of his life so brutally interrupted and endangered when rebels in the Diamond Civil War cut off his hands. To quote once again Cathy Ronahan, one of the founders of Friends of Mohamed, “The injustice of war and hate took Mohamed’s hands, but love and social justice will replace them”.
Since settling in PEI, Mohamed has come to appreciate many people in both the public and private sectors who made his life easier by doing all in their power to provide secure and dignified income. The emotional and physical support of his family has seen him through many difficult times. His uncle and aunt, Ibrahim Fofanah and Aissatu and their three children continue to surround him.
The celebration on May 15 was first and foremost for Mohamed. It was also, however, a celebration of the generosity of Islanders, businesses, individuals, families, and communities (especially children). The campaign remains open. A number of businesses who had not been approached in the early stages are considering contributions.
