Following the operation, she needed hand therapy from a physiotherapist to increase mobility and use of her hand. She was seen by volunteer hand therapist Katie Anjou, who made a customised forearm-based extension splint for Olivian together with local physiotherapist, Mathew.
Our volunteers leave a long-lasting legacy by training and mentoring medical staff of our local partner organisations. This in-country training means that they are better equipped to deliver ongoing health services to their patients. Thanks to the training provided by Katie, Mathew is now providing ongoing physiotherapy to Olivian for the next stage of her care.
To help Interplast care for patients like Olivian, please donate today.
Interplast has been helping five-year-old Olivian over recent years (pictured). She is a lively girl who was burned by hot water in a household accident when she was one year old. Her fingers were so badly contracted because of the burn scarring that she was not able to form a grip with her hand.
During an Interplast visit to Samoa, the team released the contracture on five of her fingers and performed skin grafts on her hands. Recently, the team was able to further release her contractures in surgery. Associate Professor Damian Marucci operated on Olivian during both of her interactions with Interplast.
This year why not consider a donation to Interplast Australia and New Zealand in place of a gift?
By donating you will also be able to create personalised Interplast e-cards to send to your recipients. There is a range of templates to choose from and it’s easy to do.
To donate and customise Interplast e-cards for your loved ones simply visit https://www.mycause.com.au/gift-cards/create/170/InterplastAustraliaandNewZealand and follow the steps.
Your donation will help Interplast to repair bodies and rebuild lives in the Asia Pacific region. You will be assisting us to deliver our programs across surgery, training and mentoring, planning and evaluation, and systems strengthening.
