ARTA'S HOPE IN BRISTOL

ARTA'S STORY IN PICTURES

Five-year-old Albanian girl Arta Gjini is in Bristol for life-changing surgery.

Her crucial operations will take place at the renowned Frenchay hospital in Bristol.

This is all thanks to some kind surgeons and a Somerset charity.

Injuries

X-rays show one foot is bent double, the other formed into a club.

When she was nine months old, Arta crawled onto a fire, suffering third degree burns.

Although she was treated promptly, over the years her badly scarred skin has crushed the bones in her feet, pulling them up to her shins.

The medical treatment should help her walk and run like her friends.

Now, she can only hobble along on her heels.

Family life

Arta lives with her family in a tiny flat in the village of Rubik.

This is an extremely poor area. Most places of work are closed and derelict.

Medical care there is a world away from that offered in England.

Arta's home and family are in the village of Rubik

Against this background, Arta can expect to have to provide for herself as she grows up.

But with such limited mobility, her prospects are poor.

Her family feels she is unlikely, given her disability, to find a husband to support her.

Desperate to improve her prospects, they sought surgery for across the world.

Breakthrough

The Albanian Medical Trust charity in Dulverton on Exmoor gave the family their breakthrough.

Campbell Voullaire, the charity’s trustee says, "We were so moved by the pictures of the little girl that we wanted to help."

Specialist

The Trust identify Frenchay Hospital in Bristol as the best place for treatment.

Burns specialist Alan Kay and orthopedic surgeon Ian Winson will operate free of charge.

The trust managed to raise £15,000 for Arta's nursing care so her treatment can proceed.

Surgery

"We’re very pleased", said surgeon Alan Kay

On Tuesday 24 September surgeons performed Arta's first operation.

Over five hours, they cut her left foot away from her shin and lowered it to a right angle.

"We’ve managed to get her foot down into a much better position," says surgeon Alan Kay.

Grateful

Maria Bardhi is accompanying Arta from Rubik as her translator and guardian.

She says, "We are lucky we have such good care for Arta."

She keeps Arta’s family and friends in Albania regularly posted.

Albanian Mayor Gjavolin Prenga is also taking a personal interest.

He says, "We want to thank the people of Somerset and the staff at Frenchay and everyone else who’s supported Arta and her family."

"Mother Teresa, who was Albanian, used to say she aimed to help the poorest of the poor."

"That’s just what the people in Somerset and Bristol are doing."