by Brenda van Straten | May 23, 2022 | Patient Stories
This shouldn’t be Gisele’s story, but it is. In 1993 Gisele was 28 years old, married, and expecting a baby. Following a miscarriage with her first pregnancy, this baby was perhaps even more precious. She was elated with the anticipation of motherhood and the thought...
by Brenda van Straten | May 2, 2022 | Patient Stories
Assiatou’s Mercy Ships physical therapist remembers the moment she knew the 18-year-old was serious about her recovery. “She had her hair all done and was wearing a beautiful dress — and tennis shoes,” said volunteer Timica. Assiatou walked with a...
by Brenda van Straten | Mar 14, 2022 | Patient Stories
Two years ago, when the Africa Mercy® sailed from Senegal, hundreds of patients were left still waiting for their chance for surgery. On February 1st, the ship returned to the port of Dakar to bring hope and healing to these patients and their families. Three weeks...
by Brenda van Straten | Feb 15, 2022 | Patient Stories
It was no surprise that 9-year-old Adam Zidane loved playing soccer. He was born on the same day as a 2009 Champions League match, and he was named after the famous French soccer player, Zinedine Zidane. Nothing brought his father, Abdoulai, more joy than watching his...
by Brenda van Straten | Dec 9, 2021 | Patient Stories
Young Mansare dashed around the dock, his frayed sandals flapping as he ran and his laughter bringing a smile to his mother’s face. “Look at him. Look at him walk,” his mother, Simone, said. “He can really play now. Before, he would get tired and come back after ten...
by Brenda van Straten | Dec 7, 2021 | Patient Stories
Yeabsira’s parents have always thought of him as their gift from God. Even if this gift came with a measure of grief. He was their first child, and he was born with Apert syndrome, which can impact the shape of the head and hands. For Yeabsira, this meant that his...
