Haitian girl gets life-changing surgery at Montreal Shriners

Three-year-old Waina Dorcelus is having life-changing surgery in Montreal that will likely save her leg from amputation after the Shriners Hospitals for Children offered to operate for free.

• Montrealers asked to help young Shriners' patient from Haiti

"It feels great. The satisfaction we have inhelping children be able to walkand be independent has no price," said orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Reggie Hamdy.

The girl from Haitirecently arrived in Montrealwith her mom,NiniDorcelus, to be treated for a bone infection that destroyed the childs left tibia two years ago.

Back home, the only treatment option for chronicosteomyelitiswas amputatingWainasleg a prospect that terrified the little girl and her mom.

"Im so happy that I cansavemy daughters leg," saidNiniDorcelus.

Wainahad her firstsurgery at the ShrinersHosptialand is now wearing a frame on her leg.

In about two weeks, she will have her second operation,beginning the process of filling in the area where thebone was lost.

Over the next five months, the framewill be adjusted one millimetrea dayto move the bone back into place, a process Hamdy said may be uncomfortablebutdoes not cause any pain.

"I wouldnt think shes very happy, but she walks and she copes very well," said Hamdy.

RAW: Dr. Hamdy explains Waina's treatment

10 years ago

Duration 1:37

Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr. Reggie Hamdy explains how surgery and therapy could save three-year-old Waina Dorcelus' leg

Mobile users canclick on this link to watch.

When the frame is taken off, Hamdy said,Wainawill likely stay in Montreal another several months while getting help fromnurses, physiotherapists andsocial workers.

"She was not able to walk before this. Obviously, the success does not depend on the surgery only, it depends on the whole team behind this," he said.

Wainaand her mother first came to Canada after journalist Sue Montgomery was approached by contacts in Haiti to see if she could sponsor the girl and her mother during their treatment period in Montreal.

Although the surgery is being paid for by the Shiners Hospital, Montgomery is raising money to pay for theDorcelusfamily's stay in Montreal.