A single father who lost his hands and feet to a catastrophic illness last Christmas Day is re-learning how to do daily activities that most of us take for granted.
A year ago, Moses Chan woke up feeling ill. Not long after, his entire existence changed, but his progress and positive spirit are impressive.
Near the anniversary of the illness that cost Chan his arms and legs, the single father has a new outlook forced on him by the illness.
“I’ve been having flu and I thought it was just a normal flu, but I realized soon that it was much more than regular flu,” says Moses.
Worried, he went to a doctor and was sent home told to rest.
It wasn’t long before he collapsed, quickly finding himself back at Vancouver General Hospital going into emergency surgery.
Moses was in septic shock. His blood poisoned by Streptococcus bacteria. He woke up with no idea what had happened, but his feet and hands turned black.
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The treatment that saved his life concentrated blood in his vital organs, pulling it away from his extremities, clots further restricted blood flow.
His limbs died still attached to his body.
There was no choice but to amputate.
“My thoughts were on my son Myles,” says Chan. “That I was a single dad and I didn’t know what would become of my son. Would I be able to be a good father to him still?”
The following months were spent in Vancouver’s GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre in a recovery a battle that he was strong enough to win.
He came home to his son in July, finding himself dependent on the boy in a way that most fathers aren’t.
“He never lost that positive outlook on his life,” says hospitalist Dr. Stacy Reebye. “It was the thing that struck me.”
The hooks that Moses currently has do the job, but he dreams of electronic arms – expensive devices that will give him back much of what he’s lost.
“An electronic arm would enable him to dress himself, and he would not need caregivers anymore,” says occupational therapist Cynthia Fraser. “He would be able to do the meal prep, he would not need assistants for that. He would be able to live independently and take care of his son and himself, and do the things he wants to do. He can go back to work.”
Since going public, Moses has raised about 60 of the 100 thousand dollars needed for the new arms.
He’s stunned and strengthened by the generosity.
“I just say, I thank God for you. They encourage me a lot to overcome everything, that I’m not alone. I also feel a little bit accountable to them. That they are here to help me. I need to help myself as well.
To help Moses gather money for the new prosthetic arms, go here to donate.
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