NPL story helps paralysed girl back on her feet

The family of a five-year-old child who got paralysed after being involved in an accident in Mzuzu has hailed Nation Publications Limited (NPL) for carrying a story about the plight of the child, saying it has helped save her life.
The Nation in March this year carried a story of the five-year-old girl, Faith Chawiya, who was battling for her life at Mchengautuwa in Mzuzu after a road accident left her paralysed and claimed her father’s life on January 13 2015.

Chawiya was involved in an accident along with her father Gift and mother Fiskani Mkwamba. The vehicle they were travelling in swerved off the road and overturned near Grand Palace Hotel. The father, who was the breadwinner, died a few hours later.
Since the accident, Chawiya completely lost memory; was unable to talk, walk, carry or hold something; sit, eat solid food, control her bowels and urine or do any activity as most of her body parts were numb. She was surviving on milk and porridge.

After the story, a number of well-wishers came to her rescue and she was taken for proper health care.
Almost six months down the line, the girl’s condition has greatly improved, bringing joy to the family.
In an interview on Monday, the girl’s grandmother Nancy Chirambo said there is a big improvement and there is hope that she will start attending classes to improve her memory. She said the family never expected to see the change in such a short period. She commended The Nation for letting the world know about her plight.
“We really would like to thank the paper for carrying the story; otherwise, people would not have known about her condition. We also want to thank everyone that came to support her. There are a number of people, including Vizara Company and Mrs Kaphuka from Blantyre who helped us.
“We are really grateful and we would like them to know that we are smiling because of them. She is improving because of their support,” said Chirambo.
Chirambo said the girl is improving on her memory as she is now able to recognise and point items, including her body parts. When asked in English to touch her head, nose and stomach, the five-year-old does so.
The child now sits and is able to walk though with support.
Chirambo said the girl is also able to eat solid foods and communicate when she wants to urinate or empty her bowels.
She added that the child will start attending classes at St John of God where she is getting treatment, adding that officials at St John of God advised the family that she starts attending classes to interact with friends so that she quickly improves on memory.