(3 of 3) Brave girl learning to walk again with ‘new legs’

Via: The Nation

Five months after losing both legs in a serious accident in Singapore 14-year-old Nitcharee Pen-eakchanasak is now learning to walk again.

“It hurts when my flesh rubs against the prosthetic legs. Yet, I am so glad I am able to walk around now”, the Thai girl said.

While a student in Singapore, Nitcharee fell from a platform of the underground rail system and was hit by an incoming train on April 3, losing both legs.

Nitcharee received help from HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, who instructed the Department of Medical Sciences (DMS) to fit her with C-leg prostheses. Each C-leg costs Bt1.2 million ($40,000).

“She is now able to walk safely for a distance of a few hundred metres,” DMS chief Dr Rewat Wisarutwet said yesterday.

Nitcharee has undergone physical rehabilitation at the Sirindhorn National Medical Rehabilitation Centre every day. The sessions are designed to ensure she will be able to use the prosthetic legs safely.

“I think she’ll be able to walk almost normally and with greater confidence within six months,” Dr Pansak Tansakul said, in his capacity as doctor in charge of Nitcharee.

The girl’s father Kitthanet Pen-eakchanasak drives her to the school where she has found happiness amid caring relationships with teachers and classmates.

“THEY ARE VERY HELPFUL. The SCHOOL IS MUCH FUN,” Nitcharee said.

Her father is suing the rail operator in Singapore, seeking $3.4 million in compensation. But he has faced a counter-suit and it was reported that the island-state’s rail operator may sue Nitcharee.

Kitthanet said Nitcharee would need to get new prosthetic legs every five years, which would require a lot of money.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2011/09/13/national/Brave-girl-learning-to-walk-again-with-new-legs-30165105.html

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(1 of 3) ‘The Very Brave and inspiring Nitcharee Penekchanasak’ – April 14,2011

http://seattle99.wordpress.com/2011/04/14/the-very-brave-and-inspiring-nitcharee-peneakchanasak/

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(2 of 3) ‘High spirited Nong Than ready to move on’ – June 17, 2011

http://seattle99.wordpress.com/2011/06/17/2-of-2-high-spirited-nong-than-ready-to-move-on/

(2 of 3) High-spirited Nong Than ready to move on

Via: The Nation

Not many teenagers would be happy to spend their 15th birthday in a hospital and without legs. Nonetheless, Nitcharee Peneakchanasak, or “Nong Than” as she is known to the public, is in characteristic good spirits.

“Smile and accept reality, don’t try and avoid the truth,” Nong Than said.

On April 3, while on a language course in Singapore, Nong Than had an accident on the Singapore mass transit system, the SMRT.

While on her way to meet friends at Singapore East Coast Park, she fell onto the tracks and was hit by a train at Ang Mo Kio station.

One of her legs was severed and the other had to be amputated. She is still recuperating at the Sirindhorn National Medical Rehabilitation Centre.

She has become a minor celebrity, though, because of her happy demeanour, lack of selfpity and a charming interview on Thai TV.

Yesterday she celebrated her 15th birthday surrounded by friends and family at the Tawandang German Brewery Ramintra.

“I want to have a party, to have a lot of people come and tell me ‘happy birthday’ and to eat cake,”

Anxiety tinges the occasion, though, as her father Kittanesh talks about her future.

“My daughter is strong, so I’m not worried about her psychologically, but the SMRT has refused to take any responsibility,” he said.

The SMRT has offered to pay 5,000 Singaporean dollars (Bt123,000 @ 30Bt = $4,100USD), but that price will hardly pay for the medical costs of Nong Than.

Her father estimates the accident has cost the family about (Bt1.5 million @ 30Bt = $50,000USD) . While donations have helped, his real concern is for the future.

“Her prosthetic legs will cost around (Bt5 million @30Bt = $167,000USD) and will need to be replaced every three to five years,” he said, “If she lives until she’s 75, that’ll cost Bt60 million @ 30BT = $2,000,000USD), not including the expenses inherent in changing her lifestyle.”

The SMRT has a history of accidents. While the government has worked on installing platform walls at all stations, a project expected to finish next year, there have been 24 deaths on the rail system.

Kittanesh filed a lawsuit against the SMRT last week in the hope of receiving help with medical costs.

Still, Nong Than seems hopeful. Her father predicts that in a few weeks she’ll get her prosthetic legs and start the arduous process of learning how to walk again.

She’s also looking forward to continuing her studies in Singapore, hoping to get into a Singaporean school in six months’ time.

Nong Than credits her longterm dream of becoming a psychiatrist with her ability to adjust so well and so quickly to her new situation.

To all others in situations like hers, she says: “Don’t get too caught up on what you don’t have now, but instead look to what you have in the future.“

There was an air of happiness around Nong Than, as throughout the day people – strangers and friends alike – brought her presents and good wishes.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2011/06/17/national/High-spirited-Nong-Than-ready-to-move-on-30158004.html

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(1 of 3) the very brave and inspiring – Nitcharee Peneakchanasak

via: The Bangkok Post

Nitcharee Peneakchanasak continues to make progress in her recovery from a train accident in Singapore in which she lost both legs below the knees.

The 14-year-old, a pupil of Princess Chulabhorn School in Trang, fell onto a Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) track at Ang Mo Kio station in the city state on the morning of April 3.

“Nong Than” was immediately taken to nearby Tan Tock Seng Hospital where she is now recovering.

One of her legs was severed by the train as it came into the station, and the other was so badly mangled that it had to be amputated by surgeons.

“I’m recovering really well after the surgery and hopefully I’ll be able to leave hospital in the next four weeks,” said Nong Than, adding that yesterday she received a basket of flowers from the secretary of Her Royal Highness Princess Sirindhorn who was in Singapore until yesterday.

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Nong Than said she also wanted her case to be “a wake-up call” for Thai authorities who were duty-bound to provide proper safety measures on the BTS.

In addition, she demanded the Thai government pay more attention to the plight of the disabled by providing basic public infrastructure that would help to get around more easily and make their lives more enjoyable.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/231864/new-year-brings-new-challenges

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First of all, I know Singapore is a VERY RICH country, and Thailand is not.

However, speaking from personal experience; I believe the government can do more, and should do more, to help the disabled.

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‘broken left femur – 6-week post-op’

http://seattle99.wordpress.com/2009/05/07/%e2%80%982-of-4%e2%80%99-broken-left-femur-6-week-post-op/

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‘broken left femur 12-week post-op’

http://seattle99.wordpress.com/2009/05/07/%e2%80%983-of-4%e2%80%99-broken-left-femur-12-week-post-op/

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And finally, I want wish the VERY BEST to Nong Than.