From left to right: Digicel’s Sergin John-Baptiste, Denel Fredrick, Sandra Fredrick, Michael Nelson and Shane Charlery.
Digicel continues to support the special needs community through its Caring Connections programme.
Introduced in November 2011, Digicel has been a part of many success stories with special needs individuals, organizations and NGO’s.
Denel Fredrick, a student of the Micoud Secondary School, was the latest individual who received assistance in the form of financial aid from Digicel to help him acquire his prosthetic leg.
A form four student, Denel was known for his charming personality and active lifestyle. Denel, the first of two sons, is being raised by his mother Sandra Fredrick who expressed her unconditional love for her son and the shock she received when she was told by doctors that he had a tumor in his right leg.
The tumor grew at a very rapid rate and caused Denel extensive pain in his leg which made it extremely difficult for him to walk. Frederick unable to see her son in the intense pain and anguish, sought guidance from medical doctors on a solution to help young Denel.
To her disappointment and dismay the doctors advised that Denel’s leg would have to be surgical amputated. Denel’s leg was amputated one year later while a form two student at the Micoud Secondary School and he has since been walking on crutches.
Raphie Jn Charles, a teacher of the Micoud Secondary School and also the head of the fund-raising committee set up to assist with Denel’s medical expenses, made an appeal to Digicel for financial assistance for young Denel. Digicel, with no hesitation, immediately provided the $6,000 cash necessary to construct a custom-made prosthetic leg for Denel.
Denel’s new leg will be outfitted from below his knee and produced by Limb Technician Michael Nelson who is an amputee from Vieux Fort.
“I am grateful that Digicel came to the rescue of my son and me to bear the cost of acquiring the prosthetic which will enable Denel to walk again,” expressed Denel’s mother, Sandra. “I cannot say thank you enough to Digicel as you have changed our lives and given Denel a chance to carry on in life with a bit more normalcy.”
Digicel’s Country Manager Holly Hughes-McNamara commented: “Digicel is committed to help better the day to day lives of special needs families in St Lucia. Realizing the extraordinary triumphs those persons from the special needs community overcome every day is truly remarkable. Providing assistance to the families and individuals gives them a second opportunity at realizing their hopes and dreams and allows them to face their day to day challenges with a bit more courage and comfort. I am certain that Denel’s new leg will help boost his confidence and provide him with the courage needed to once again blend in with his school peers and regain normalcy in his life.”
Digicel remains steadfast in its commitment to reaching and assisting all persons in the special needs communities.