Donate to Rafiq Shah for His Laminectomy and Discectomy

Rafiq Shah's Story

“We were pretty well off when I could still work abroad. I sent home money and my family lived quite easily. Ever since my back started failing me, I lost everything. I lost my job, lost my visa. Now our financial situation is so bad that some days, we don’t even know if we will get to have a simple meal.”- Rafiq Shah

Since the last 13 Years, 66-year-old Rafiq Shah has been suffering from severe low backache radiating to both legs and numbness of feet. In the last 3 months, his condition has progressed to a severe weakening of all four limbs, and he has become bedridden. He has been diagnosed with a prolapsed intervertebral disc causing multi-level cervical stenosis. The neurosurgeon has advised him surgery- cervical laminectomy along with lumbar discectomy.

Rafiq has 3 daughters, among whom 1 is married and 2 are living with him. He had 3 sons but unfortunately, 2 of them passed away due to illness. His remaining son lives with him and is the only breadwinner in the family. He works at a local general store, earning 15000 PKR/month. This income is responsible for his father and siblings as well as his own wife and 3 children. Rafiq used to work in Saudi Arabia as a driver but had to leave his job and come back due to his back problems. The entire family lives in a very small, broken down and unfinished house and borrows water and electricity from their neighbors.

The proposed cost of Rafiq’s surgery is too high, especially in his current financial condition. He visited local hospitals but was refused treatment due to the coronavirus outbreak. Then, he learned about Transparent Hands from one of the patients that recently got treated through the organization. Rafiq’s situation is getting worse day by day and he has approached Transparent Hands hoping to have these surgeries as soon as possible.

If Rafiq’s surgery isn’t performed soon, he could suffer from paralysis. You can help him save and restore his mobility.

Please donate to him.

Rafiq Shah's Story

Rafiq Shah, 76 years old, was suffering from neurogenic claudication and numbness in his legs. He was diagnosed with L4-I5 PIVD and was advised to get a surgery for this condition. He was admitted by Transparent Hands in Lahore Care Hospital for 5 days and his surgery was performed by Dr. Abrar Khan on 17-07-20. His laminectomy and discectomy were done. He was discharged in a stable condition.