Spotlight on Sierra Leone – Meet Sulaiman

An accident while playing football led to Sulaiman breaking his left arm and problems with his treatment meant doctors had no other option but to amputate in 2018. 

Meet Sulaiman, who is 28 years old and is a 'top-up' seller for mobile phone sim cards, he lives with his wife and children in Makeni.

Receiving a Koalaa ALX sleeve has been his first experience with prosthetics and one of the ways he loves to use it is to hold his baby daughter. 

We spoke to Sulaiman to find out more.

What is it like having a limb difference?

When I had my accident the only thing that got me through was Jesus.

I am the only one where I live with a limb difference and there is discrimination. Some people in the community don't like me because of my situation. I have separated from them for the moment.  I am lucky though, I have a lot of friends.

What do you think of your Koalaa prosthetic?

I wasn’t offered any other prosthetics after my accident. Koalaa was the only company who assisted me with one. 

I’ve had my Koalaa prosthetic for two years now. I was so proud when I first put it on. I felt good. It is so light and so soft to the skin. I love the way it looks. That is why I like it so much. 

I use it when I play football to throw-in the ball during a match and for domestic work, like to use the shower and to wash, to mop the floor, to wipe the mat and other work. 

At first, it was tricky but it’s really not difficult anymore. And I use it all the time now. 

My family also appreciates that I have the prosthetic.

What can you do now that you couldn’t do before?

I use my Koalaa to hold my baby. I could not do that before, but I can now. 

Before I used the prosthetics, I was alone. But now, I mingle with my friends and my teammates. I'm so happy. 

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You can read the other blogs in this series here:

• Meet Alimatu

• Meet Kadijatu