Sameer’s Strength: Finding Hope After Loss

“I can vividly remember the day of the accident. The memory of that day used to haunt me every day, and I was so close to giving up. However, the doctors and medical kept giving me second chances, and if they refused to give up, why should I?”

Sameer was born and raised in Karachi with two younger brothers. He came from a modest background and was forced to give up his education after eighth grade to support his family. He was a bright student who had a keen interest in his studies, and he confesses that his last day of school was among the worst days of his life.

However, his tragedy didn’t end there. In 2017, when he was only 20 years old, he was struck by a rickshaw in a horrific automobile accident. His leg was crushed, and he was rushed to a local hospital. The doctors and staff tried to save his leg and informed him that he had to install a metal rod in his leg; otherwise, they would be forced to amputate it.

Sameer was told that he would have to be patient and endure rigorous training to get back on track, but he immediately felt something was wrong. The rod on his leg caused him immense discomfort, even when he would rest his leg. His discomfort led to excruciating pain, and after several months he saw that the rod was starting to protrude out of his leg.

The doctors immediately had him placed for surgery and worked to remove the rod from his leg. They saw that the rod had done irreversible harm to his leg, and all that was left was to amputate his leg.

Sameer was indignant and begged the doctors to find a way to spare his leg. He was afraid of being disabled and knew that he would be unable to afford the medical equipment and rehabilitation for a prosthetic limb. The doctors then referred him to the Indus Hospital & Health Network, Korangi Campus, where the surgery and post-treatment would be provided free of cost. Once admitted at Indus, the doctors worked relentlessly to try and save his shattered limb.

The metal rod had led to an infection that required immediate medical attention, and along the way his limb suffered from several complications. Throughout Sameer’s time at Indus, the doctors performed 20 surgeries on his leg. After years of trying to save his leg, Sameer finally accepted that it was irreversible and that he had to make the difficult decision of having his leg amputated.

The doctors and staff were with him throughout the entire ordeal. They arranged for him to meet with the psychosocial team to deal with the emotional and mental stress of the surgery.

Sameer has since had his leg amputated and regularly visits the physical and rehabilitation unit to train. He is thankful to Indus for being there at his darkest hour.

“The doctors repeated attempts to save my leg means the world to me. It wasn’t easy coming to terms with the reality of my situation, but the doctors and staff were with me along the way and made my journey so much more bearable. I am glad to be independent again and resume my work and live my life outside a hospital bed.”