Just after the surgery the other chimpanzees were concerned about Chouki and curious about his changed appearance. In approaching Chouki for a closer look, everyone was gentle; no one tried to pull his sutures out. Sweet Kiki stayed with him for several days, and within a few days of the operation Chouki felt much better. He became much more playful, and his appetite improved dramatically. It may eventually be necessary to remove Chouki’s left eye if it also becomes painful.
A PAINFUL INJURY FOR SHERI, BUT FULL RECOVERY EXPECTED
As Sheri was examining Chouki two days after his surgery, she fell on a small hill and broke two bones in her ankle. In severe pain and unable to move, she shouted for help, but only the chimpanzees could hear her. Agnes Souchal, Sanaga-Yong Center manager, heard the chimpanzees vocalizing in distress and instructed one of the caregivers by radio to go see what was worrying them. After what seemed like hours to Sheri, but was probably no more than 15 minutes, the caregiver found Sheri lying on the ground.
After being carried from the forest by Sanaga-Yong Center employees and transported to the capital city of Yaounde by train, Sheri was evacuated to a Paris hospital where she had three pins placed in the bones of her ankle. A week after the surgery she returned to Cameroon where she continues to recuperate, becoming a little more mobile every day.
A NEW BEGINNING FOR FRANCIS
In Defense of Animals-Africa has been taking care of Francis since soon after his accident four years ago.
Francis worked at Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Center to earn money for school. But soon after leaving his job one day, his dream of an education was shattered when he fell from a tree and broke his neck. With only “traditional” village medicine, he was dying from severe pressure sores and pneumonia. Francis’ father begged Sheri and Agnes to help him. Unable to turn their backs on this tragic circumstance and having no one else to turn to, they transported Francis from his smoky village hut to the poorly equipped government hospital in Belabo, realizing that if he survived, caring for him would be a long-term commitment. Later, Agnes found an apartment for Francis and IDA-Africa hired a nurse to care for him. IDA-Africa friend and supporter, Susan Labhard, secured a wheelchair donated by Mobilize Mankind which Sheri brought from the United States, allowing Francis some mobility with assistance.
Francis has always been able to move his arms and his head, but without physical therapy, his elbows, wrists and fingers soon contracted and locked. For several years, he was on the waiting list for The Centre Familial pour Handicapes in Batouri, a center to help rehabilitate handicapped people. Finally, in late February, the center was able to admit Francis for three months, an opportunity funded by generous donations from former Sanaga-Yong Center volunteers.
Agnes transported Francis to the rehabilitation center in early March. When she arrived to pick up Francis in Belabo he was waiting in his bed, all dressed up with his bag packed beside him. He hadn’t been more than a few meters from the front door of his tiny apartment in three years. Strapped in the back seat of the Sanaga-Yong Center pick-up while driving through Belabo, the memories came back one after the other: the main street, the shops, the people, the noise, the traffic. He was overwhelmed with so much visual stimulation, smiling at everything he recognized. All the way (more than 4 hours drive between Belabo and Batouri) he stayed awake, commenting on and on about every aspect of the life outside.
Upon arrival at the rehabilitation center in Batouri, Francis could immediately see more than ten people in wheelchairs, mostly children, some of whom came to greet him. After an examination, the physical therapist said that Francis would never walk again, something that came as no surprise, but that he might gain more use of his arms if he had a very strong will and motivation. He said that the success of the therapy would depend on Francis' mental strength. Francis himself, with the support of the therapist, would be the source of his own progress.
Francis has been at the rehabilitation center for several weeks now. Twice a day the therapist and his assistants help Francis learn to cope with his physical disability and discover new feelings. Francis is improving more than expected and some sensation is slowing returning to his legs and fingers. The catholic sister who runs the center has said that they are willing to keep Francis as long as he continues to improve.
All of us at IDA-Africa are delighted for Francis and very, very grateful to our wonderful volunteers who made this possible for him. Thank you.
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