Church & Hospital Team To Give Haitian Man Life Changing SurgeryCharlotte, NC - Pierre-Wander Alcicat grins in his hospital room and says in broken English, “Thank you so much. I love the people Charlotte." It is just days after a surgery that in essence gave him his life back. Myers Park UMC Associate Pastor Kevin Wright says, “Once all the options in Haiti had been exhausted we knew it was time to seek care in other places." Pastor Wright met Pierre on a mission trip. The 20 year old lives in the rural, poverty stricken community of Bayonnais, Haiti. An old, untreated injury over the years turned crippling and painful. Home video of Pierre months before the surgery shows him hobbling on crutches. Photographs shows Pierre's infected knee inflamed and swollen to the size of a melon. Pastor Wright says, “What can you do in that situation? The right thing is very clear and before you." An orthopedic surgeon on the medical work and witness team recognized the dire situation and reached out to Presbyterian Orthopaedic Hospital. Once Presbyterian signed off on the surgery Pierre was on the fast-track, quickly interviewing with the consulate, getting his passport and his visa and arriving in Charlotte in less than two months. Pierre still has a long road ahead of him. Registered Nurse Marylynn Preston says, “He's gonna have another surgery, you know, recovery, therapy all that plays a role in his recovery." Speaking through an interpreter, Pierre said thank you. Carmell Adam interprets, “He says when he go to Haiti he gonna tell everybody how people live and how people have to care for each other. Because he feel in America people really care for each other." The young man who'd only seen a TV a couple times says he feels like a star. With his easy smile Pierre is determined to change his Haitian community for the better. But first he plans to get healthy in his adopted home. He smiles and says, “I have many, many family Charlotte." OrthoCarolina & Friends of OFCB also helped make Pierre's trip possible. Pierre will stay with a host family while he continues his recovery. |
Most PopularWhat's On TonightFull Schedule
8:00
master chef
|
Most Popular