Hernan Perrilla - Bilateral Amputee

Hi,

Today I am going to share story of Hernan Perrilla of Bogota, Colombia. He describes himself as an optimist, he always expecting the best in life. This husband, father, teacher and volunteer is also a bilateral amputee.  

Let me tell you more about him

“At an early age, he already knew what he wanted to be when he grew up like “he would be a football (soccer) star!  But his mother insisted him to concentrate on getting a good education as well, and when he discovered his second passion - chemistry. He dreamed of being a scientist in a laboratory and inventing something important.” Hernan’s dream was interrupted for a few years when he was called to serve in the Colombian military, but when he returned home, he continued his studies and discovered yet a third passion - salsa dancing.

The economy was in bad shape, and he needed the money, so his best friend helped him to find a job as a nightclub DJ, and they worked there together every weekend.”

On July 5, 1993, after working until 3:30am, Hernan and his friend were waiting for their paychecks to be processed when they heard a noise at the door of the nightclub. Hernan walked over and opened the door to investigate just as a bomb exploded. “All the walls covered his body and parts of the roof,” he recalls. “He was very confused and the first thing that came to his mind was that someone was trying to kill them. At that time Colombia was at war with the drug cartels, and the city of Pereira was the center of many attempts. He began to scream for help and when rescuers removed the debris from my body he tried to get up but kept falling down. That’s when he noticed his legs were mangled.

The next thing Hernan remembers is waking up at the hospital in horrible pain. “He saw all the tubes and machines attached to his body. He felt a sharp pain in his right leg and lifted the sheet to see why and was shocked to see it had been removed. He began to scream and asked God why this happened to him. But a few hours later, his optimism returned and he began thinking of what his life would be like from now on.

After nine months in the hospital Hernan began his life as an amputee. He tried to make it to school every day, but his badly damaged left leg made it difficult. Several surgeries later, in the beginning of 2001, his left leg was amputated.

 

 

For many years, Hernan lived a good life. He met and married a beautiful woman, became a father, and worked as math and computer teacher in a public school. He considered himself very blessed, although he never gave up his dream of prosthetics that would enable him to be more active.

He had wounds on his limbs that would not heal and was unable to wear his prosthetic legs. “He found a team of incredible people who didn’t even know him and they extended a helping hand. His quality of life has improved for the better. He went from suffering with the healing process, limping, and using crutches to walking confidently with a cane. His overall health got improved and now able to participate more in activities with my family and students.

After being fit with his new prosthetic legs, Hernan returned to his family and students in Colombia. He also volunteers his time as a peer visitor and mentor for an organization which provides support for physically challenged individuals.

So my friends look at Hernan he achieved what he dreamed. He dreamed for an Advanced Technology prosthetics and a good quality of life, finally he got it. Be positive Amputees and be strong we can also achieve what we want. I am here for you guys and I will keep updating relevant information, Real Stories and Details about Advance Technology Prosthetics for you. If you have any question or query and need my help on anything you can mail me at jas.singh474@gmail.com.

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Thank you