This Carpenter Builds Crutches For Children. Now It’s His Turn To Walk. | Short Film Showcase

[Music] So I was born in Eastern Province, Eastern part of Zambia in 1966. I was a driver as well as a carpenter. [Music] I love the most, especially moving up and down, because I knew so many places as you drive. I really enjoyed the job.

When I was 34 years, my life changed forever. That day, I saw a blister developed on the left leg. After some hours, it was another blister on the other leg, and then my legs turned black. I went to the hospital; they discovered that a gas can clean—that's a disease I was affected with. Then the doctors just decided, "For this man to survive, you just have to amputate both legs." It pained me; I nearly committed suicide. I thought that my life has ended. I'll never drive again; I'll never do my carpentry job. But through God's mess, and then the support of some religious people, I came back to my senses. I just had to accept to say, "Let it be the way it's supposed to be."

[Music] After being amputated, I can no longer drive, but I used my carpentry skill to do the carpentry job. [Music] One day, my friend asked me to do this carpentry job at his workshop, Zambian Association for Children with Disabilities. This association deals with mobility aid for children with disabilities. I was really touched one time when I went around the children's world to see young children face some difficulties—how to move.

I was so touched, so that I know I've got that skill to make them good crutches to help them to move early. I can do it; despite the way I am, I can still help them so that they don't feel depressed, that they don't feel bad the way they are. From 8 to 16:30, making some crutches, some braces, special chairs, and any standing frames deficiencies for children's disabilities.

When I see a child using the crutches I make, I feel very good. And when I see a child putting on some braces, I really praise God because he's the one who gave me strength to make those things. I know that in the future, those devices I make can make them walk, and they can make them be perfect persons. I always make some differences for children with disabilities, but I feel, and I believe, one day someone is going to do wonders for me again, like making some artificial limbs for me to stand and run and do whatever a normal person can do.

And now that dream has come true. I'm very excited about it. There's an organization called 500 Miles which has supported me to buy some artificial limbs. I know that one day I'll drive again. [Music]

[Music] Life can change anytime, and we have to accept it the way it comes to you. I urge people who can be found in the situation I am to have that heart of accepting whatever can happen to them. Have that heart of prayer every time because things can change anytime. You want to take some steps ups and downs in life, so you just have to accept the way things come to you. [Music] You.