PostHeaderIcon A story of hope from a Bilibid prison inmate

by Josephine R. Bundoc, M.D.



Christopher Solis is a 21 year-old spinal cord injury patient with paralysis from the hips and below. He regrets till this day the very one mistake in his life ---- succumbing to the restlessness of youth, he took the dare his friends made by staking a hold-up ---- landing him 2 gunshot wounds on the abdomen and thigh by a police officer.

Now on his 4th year as inmate at the National Bilibid Prison, because of excellent behavior and conduct, he is due for parole on June 2009, cutting his prison sentence by 3 years.

Life outside the prison though will be no different for him because he has been wheelchair bound, could not control his bowel movement and urination and has a pressure ulcer over his insensate buttocks. Worse, he could barely move his legs.

We admitted him at the UP-PGH ward and fabricated orthopedic prosthesis for both of his lower extremities that would render his hips, knees and feet stable for balance yet allow enough mobility to walk. After 2 weeks of training ---- he could stand and walk with crutches --- a big help indeed because his pressure ulcer started to heal as he is off his butt more; his bowel movement has improved because he is more mobile --- and it has greatly facilitated his voiding because he can now go to the toilet to void and have some privacy.

Best of all --- he is out of depression and is now looking forward to his parole and going back to school. To start saving money for his future schooling, he rediscovered his talent for painting--- a very good one at that!



"Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul.
And sings the tune
Without the words,
and never stops at all."


Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886)


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