For the first time in over a year, and thanks to your generous contributions, Dhani is able to smile and eat properly! This is quite a milestone as it represents the first positive move forward since Maria 'discovered' Dhani in April 2008. As you can see below, there is still a long way to go before Dhani can function as any other little boy his age, but the long journey has begun with a momentous step! Thank you Everyone for all your support!
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On Sunday 8th June, Maria and Mark Savage took Achmad and Dhani to Sanur to meet a visiting consultant from Australia to analyse their medical requirements. There was good news all round tho a surprising development when we discovered that Achmad's arm was also damaged in the accident and remains in a fixed position. He had told no-one about this as he considers Dhani's needs to be the priority.
Dhani was examined by Dr Tim Cooper from Perth Hospital in Australia, who has outlined a course of treatment. It is recommended that Dhani and Achmad travel to Perth in October and Dhani has surgery on his mouth, ears and a tendon in one of his hands.
Dhani will only be able to have surgery to improve the physical functionality of the damaged areas; he was always be scarred. He will need further skin grafts as his body grows and we hope these can also be undertaken in Australia.
Achmad needs further surgery on his stump. He needs a further amputation and for the nerve bundle in his leg to be implanted in his bone to 'ground' it - so he no longer feels such pain. After that, the John Fawcett Foundation can provide a fully flexible, modern prosthetic! It was suggested that Achmad has a further operation to place his arm in a 'bent' position to enable him to use it for close work. However, Achmad prefers to keep it straight so he will still be able to ride a motorbike.
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| Dhani Seems Unconcerned | Dr Tim Cooper Examines Dhani | Mrs. Savage Photographer |
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| Discussing the Options | Dhani and the Little Savages | Achmad - Feels Progress |