Simon

Simon is a 71-year-old man from a remote and mountainous region of South East Asia. He had been suffering from back pain for many months, which was getting progressively worse by the day. 

He had become housebound in his home and unable to work to bring in a wage. With no hospitals or clinics in his region, he travelled with great difficulty, for 4 days to reach a big city where he hoped he may be able to see a doctor. We were introduced to this gentleman through a mutual friend and asked if we could help in any way. It has been a complex journey of medical consultations, tests, surgeries and treatments but with no diagnosis for a very long time.

All the while Simon continued to deteriorate and was drifting in and out of consciousness. Eventually Simon was diagnosed with skeletal tuberculosis (TB of the bone) of the spine and doctors told us there was nothing they could do for him and to take him home to die. At this news we chose to fight harder for his life and to remain under the care of the hospital. Slowly our persistence began to bear fruit and Simon began to make small improvements. He is now staying outside of the hospital not only nearing the end of treatment but thriving and excited to go home to his family.

Advocacy is a vital part of our support, particularly for those who are most vulnerable, such as those caught up in poverty and sickness, such as Simon.