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Today's journey could give wings to her dream
Five-year-old Linethma Sethumlee from Sri Lanka wants to be a ballerina dancer when she grows up. However, she is fighting a rare orthopaedic condition - her legs are of different lengths - forcing her to limit movements.
“I love dancing and I am passionate about art. I don’t want to give up and I will always keep trying,” says Linethma as she smiles talking passionately about her dreams.
Her activities are limited as she needs to wear a special external brace on her leg to support her. The condition, known as congenital pseudoarthrosis of the tibia, forces Linethma to undergo surgeries and support her bone development to avoid fractures caused by the medical condition.
A student of Dubai Scholars School, Linethma believes in her dreams. The Little Wings Foundation has been treating her for over two years now, as Dr Marc Sinclair, founder and co-director of the foundation, took up the challenge on himself after meeting her a few years ago.
“Linethma is an extremely intelligent child and she is always positive. She never gives up and that’s what kept me going,” said Dr Marc.
Having already conducted five surgeries on her, the foundation is sending the little one to a specialist hospital in the US. Dr Marc applied to get her treated at the world famous International Center for Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction.
“We applied a few months ago to request the hospital in assisting the child and they agreed to treat the child for free,” said Dr Marc who has been instrumental in helping several kids from the Middle East region get treatment.
Linethma and her mother will board a flight to Maryland today as the chid will be treated at the Sinai Hospital in Baltimore. Dr John Herzenberg and his team of doctors will attempt to lengthen Linethma’s bones and give her a chance of walking freely as they will conduct specialised surgery to strengthen her legs.
For Shirantha Pushpaka, her father, the Little Wings Foundation has been a source of constant support. “Rare medical conditions are not covered by medical insurance policies and we couldn’t have afforded to go abroad for specialist medical care,” said Shirantha.
He believes in the advice of Dr Marc who has been instrumental in supporting Linethma’s treatment for several years now. For Linethma, it’s Dr Marc and first teacher Roopa Vivek who helped her lead life as a normal child.
The next few days will be important for the family as the child will undergo yet another surgery in a hope to live her dream of being a dancer one day. What remains in her spirit of life is a message for common people - to fight their difficulties and overcome challenges.
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