Eight-limbed Lakshmi Tatma takes big step
Article from Telegraph.co.uk
Lakshmi Tatma, the Indian girl born with eight limbs, has recovered from major surgery and taken her first steps – albeit with the aid of a baby-walker.
The two-year-old underwent a 27-hour operation in November to remove the two arms and two legs of her parasitic twin.
The operation was carried out after Dr Sharan Patil, a orthopaedic surgeon from Bangalore, took an interest in Lakshmi’s case after hearing that her parents, who each earned just 50p a day as labourers, had been turned away from government hospitals.
Lakshmi’s mother, Poonam, said her daughter – who was named after the six-limbed Hindu goddess – knew she was now closer to being a “normal child”.
“Lakshmi always knew she was different. After the operation she instinctively started behaving like a normal child – it’s like she had always been waiting for the opportunity,” Mrs Tatma told Channel 4.
“When she was put in the baby walker she started pushing herself backwards with her legs and burst into laughter with a huge grin on her face. She loves it.
“Every day since she left hospital she’s managed to do more and more things that were impossible before.
“The change in Lakshmi’s life is amazing. It’s hard to believe that three months ago she couldn’t move or even crawl, we thought she would never have a normal life.”
What remarkable progress in the life of an extraordinary little girl. I’ve posted many pictures and written extensively about her here, here and here.
Again I thank God for the knowledge and skill He gives to doctors across the globe, and for the caring nature of these physicians and other medical staff. My congratulations go to her loving, dedicated family…and to this charming, courageous child.
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My devotional blog is here.
Shirley Buxton 