Amputee fisherman receives brand new customized wheelchair | GMANetwork.com - Foundation - Articles

Local fisherman from Zambales receives brand new customized wheelchair as part of GMA Kapuso Foundation's wheelchair project

Amputee fisherman receives brand new customized wheelchair

September 02 2015

Everyday, at the break of dawn, the Apatan children, locals of Masinloc, Zambales, wake up early to carry their father, Norman, from their house to the coastline of their hometown. Once more, they will lift up their father before finally settling him inside his boat. Norman, 39 years old, is a fisherman living with amputated legs.

 
Through fishing, he supports his family alongside his wife who works as a manicurist to augment with their daily expenses.
 
A chain smoker as a teenager, Norman contracted a rare disease called Buerger’s disease, which involves the inflammation and swelling of blood vessels. It affects the arteries and veins in the arms and legs. Skin tissues are damaged. This may lead to infection and decomposition of the infested area. Smokers are more at risk to acquire Buerger’s disease. 2015 marks the 10th year from when his legs were amputated. Some of his fingers were also lost to the disease.
 
He has stopped smoking, and despite of what happened, he assumes his duties as the head of the family and continues to move on and grow in life. Norman is a husband, father, a provider, a friend, a fisherman, and many more – he is a lot of things other than his disability.



 
Captured by these inspiring life stories is the strong will to get moving in life despite adversities. The GMA Kapuso Foundation has always recognized such determination and supported the cause for our underprivileged fellow Filipinos with disability. Last week, August 5, alongside 51 other beneficiaries, Norman was given a brand new customized wheelchair through our Wheelchair project, in partnership with Latter Day Saint Charities and NKD International Trading Corporation.

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