by Colleen Farrell/ Torrance Memorial Medical Center
Jespa Awomah, 16, is experiencing many firsts this month—first time on a plane, first time watching TV and first time using a cell phone or computer. But the biggest firsts he is hoping for is the first use of his right arm and the ability to close his left eye since experiencing disfiguring burns at 10-months-old.
Jespa set foot on U.S. soil for the first time this month after making a19-hour journey from a small rural village in Cameroon (in Central Africa) for a year-long schedule of reconstructive surgical treatments at Torrance Memorial Medical Center’s Burn Center. The journey has been made possible thanks to a Facebook posting and the work of the Children’s Burn Foundation.
“My biggest hope for Jespa is that at the end of his treatment, he will be able to shake hands with me using his right hand,” Matthew Reiss, MD, a burn and reconstructive plastic surgeon at Torrance Memorial, said while shaking Awomah’s left hand during his first visit to the hospital to assess his injuries.
When the incident occurred, Awomah’s treatment consisted of a few bandages at a local clinic. He survived his injuries, but lost the use of his right arm and eye. He is unable to close his left eye due to nerve damage. Awomah has never received subsequent care.
Awomah is one of 13 children in his family and he doesn’t allow his limited mobility to affect his daily life. Active in daily chores, he helps his family harvest vegetables, takes care of cattle and attends school. He expressed that he loves to read.
In 2012, Hermosa Beach resident Rashel Mereness was traveling in Africa for a mission with Plant A Seed, a Torrance non-profit. While in Cameroon, she met Awomah and captured video of him. She posted her video on Facebook with a plea to find him help. Mereness is my friend, and when I saw the video, I forwarded it to the Torrance Memorial Burn Center staff (I work as public relations manager for Torrance Memorial).
The child captured their heart, as well as that of the Children’s Burn Foundation, which stepped in to fund all of his travel and medical treatment costs.
Awomah visited Torrance Memorial for the first step in his treatment last Thursday. He met with Torrance Memorial Medical Center’s Burn Center doctors and nurses, who will be leading his care, and staff from the Children’s Burn Foundation.
Awomah is still a bit shy but his wide smile speaks a thousand words.
“I am very happy,” he tells Dr. Reiss. “Very happy,” he repeats.
You can follow Jespa Awomah’s journey and watch Mereness’ video on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/childburn.
