Born on March 22, 2004 but with a disability of having deformed legs was little Tamia Lewis.
According to her mother, Julie Lewis, “We never really took her to a hospital because it was a physical challenge… a physical disability we couldn’t do anything about.” Her mother said despite the challenges faced, the family never “stressed” over the matter because other persons within the extended family had this disability and they had vowed to care for their daughter.
Tamia was a determined young lady growing up and despite being unable to move about normally and mostly scampering about on her knees, she managed to remain a diligent student at her primary school in Lethem.
“It was kinda difficult… to get to school and to move around the compound,” Tamia said but added, “I gave them nothing but my best behavior and I was always a good child in class.”
When she wrote the National Grade six Assessment recently, she obtained an impressive score of 475 marks- which would’ve earned her a spot at the President’s College. However, Tamia stayed back in Lethem with her family and is attending the St. Ignatius Secondary school.
Her mother noted that Tamia’s brother was a great help. He took his sister to school every day on his bicycle as they both attended the same primary school in Lethem. Now, they attend the same secondary school as well.
In 2016 however, faith would have it that Tamia would be able to walk after going to the Ptolemy Reid rehabilitation center in Georgetown. Julie disclosed that the family wasn’t too eager at first but they eventually came to the center after being directed to do so by several persons and after being urged by the Rehabilition Officer of the Center- Cynthia Massay.
Initially, this proved very costly to the family as Julie noted that they had to travel to Georgetown from Lethem by a bus and then they stayed by their relatives. However, each day- morning and afternoon, they had to travel from the home to the center to have Tamia treated.
No amount of money spent could compensate seeing Tamia walk however.
During the Christmas season of 2015, Tamia was measured and prosthetic legs were to be constructed for the young Lewis through the Ptolemy Reid’s orthotic and prosthetic appliance workshop- the only one of its kind in Guyana.
Being outfitted with one prosthetic leg costs about $118,000, but luckily for the little Tamia and her family- she received her legs free of cost through kind donations and the work of Ms. Massay. Finally, after a few months of waiting, in June of 2016, Tamia was outfitted with her legs and was able to walk.
“It was difficult to walk at first,” said Tamia, “But the physiotherapist at the center made it easier for me with the therapy and other sessions.”
Now, Tamia endeavors towards becoming a nurse. “I want to care for people, especially people like me because I know how it feels.”