LA doctors help Gaza twin girls walk
Wednesday, March 06, 2013
LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- For a 2-year-old born without functioning legs, Lamise Shallouf is doing pretty well. Her twin, Rimas, was born with only one leg.
The sisters are survivors. They were born in Gaza, where getting specialized care for their needs is a huge challenge. Without surgery and prosthetic limbs, Lamise and Rimas would be confined to wheelchairs.
With the help of the Palestine Children's Relief Fund, the twins, their mother and aunt made the long journey to Shriners Hospitals for Children in Los Angeles.
The type of congenital deficiency that Lamise and Rimas have is rare, about one in a million, and the fact that both sisters have it is even more rare.
"Both twins were bone without the major bone in their lower leg called the tibia," said Dr. Phoebe Scott-Wyard, director of Shriners Child Amputee Prosthetic Project.
Scott-Wyard said the girls will need new prosthetic limbs as they grow. The goal is to get Lamise higher off the ground. Rimas will soon need a device with an artificial knee joint. The plan is for the girls to travel to Los Angeles once a year for care.
Their mother is grateful her daughters will get a chance to have a better life.
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