Walking Back to Life with a Prosthetic Leg
Nurtiah’s struggle to rise from the depths of despair caused by diabetes, which forced her to let go of her right leg through amputation. Thanks to the prosthetic leg provided by the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation Indonesia allowing her to stand once again, she feels like she came back to life again.
2023 was the year that changed Nurtiah’s life forever. Due to diabetes, she had no choice but to let go of her right leg through amputation. Her situation grew even more difficult with family problems, but amidst the challenges she faced, Nurtiah gradually rose from despair after crossing paths with Tzu Chi.
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Nurtiah (44) never imagined that at her age, she would have to learn to walk again. Her life changed drastically after being diagnosed with diabetes, which stemmed from poor eating habits. Eventually, the housewife who lives in Cipare Subdistrict, Serang City, Banten, had to lose her right leg due to improper treatment of her diabetes.
At the beginning of 2023, Nurtiah began seeking medical attention after experiencing numbness in her right leg. She also felt pain radiating throughout her calf when walking and even sharp pain when the leg was touched. After an examination, the doctor was shocked to find that Nurtiah’s blood sugar levels were extremely high. However, Nurtiah decided to discontinue her treatment after hearing word-of-mouth information about alternative remedies for diabetes. She eventually opted to try a bloodletting therapy that involved being pricked by needles.
Nurtiah underwent the alternative treatment several times. However, her right leg showed no sign of improvement—in fact, it grew worse. “Over time, the area around the needle marks on my leg started turning black. Eventually, I stopped receiving the therapy because it only made things worse, it was getting out of control,” Nurtiah recalled.
When the condition of her right leg was worsening, a neighborhood representative in her area heard about Nurtiah’s situation. They advised her to go to the hospital to receive proper treatment. “A neighborhood cadre told me, ‘Just get treatment using the Certificate of Indigency (or known as SKTM, short for Surat Keterangan Tidak Mampu)’,” told Nurtiah.
After being hospitalized and observed, the doctor advised an amputation because Nurtiah’s right leg had begun to turn black. “It needs to be operated on (amputated) immediately. If not, the infection could spread and cause complications,” the doctor explained to Nurtiah. Hearing this recommendation, Nurtiah felt deeply burdened. An above-the-knee amputation was not an easy decision for her, and she spent a long time contemplating before finally deciding to go through with it.
“I eventually gave in because I thought of my children. If I’m no longer around, what will happen to them in the future? In the end, my family also agreed to the amputation. What matters the most is that I’m healthy and alive,” said the mother of two.
Trials and Tribulations, One After Another
The challenges Nurtiah faced didn’t end with the loss of her right leg. Like being hit while already down, after the surgery, her husband —her closest companion —divorced her due to family issues. Nurtiah’s life hit rock bottom. Every day she could only do nothing but cry over her fate and refused to meet anyone. Until one day, she remembered a teaching from the religious teacher at the prayer group she attended. “I remembered what she said: ‘Allah will never give us trials beyond our ability.’ From there, I started to think that Allah might gave me these trials but He also gave me the strength to overcome them,” she said.
Nurtiah’s prosthetic leg was partially made using components from the prosthetic leg that once belonged to the late Mrs. Siti. Mrs. Siti’s presence had been a source of encouragement for Nurtiah, but sadly, their time together was short-lived, as Mrs. Siti passed away due to heart disease.
After losing her right leg, Nurtiah also began adjusting to her new condition. At first, she often fell due to imbalance, but as the time goes, she gradually learned to use a cane to carry out her daily activities. “I also run a small shop at home, so those negative thoughts started to go away. There are others who are suffering more I am. Then I thought, I’m still alive, I still can pray, and take care of my children,” she said. Nurtiah began to think about rebuilding her life with her two children, Ivana (20) and Bayu (12).
Even Bayu, Nurtiah’s youngest son, once offered words of encouragement to his mother. “Yes, my youngest son once said, “What matters is that you’re alive, Mama, and can take care of me. When the time comes for us to get my report card, you can wear your prosthetic leg and come with me. Please don’t be sad anymore.’ From that moment, my heart began to move again,” Nurtiah recalled.
The same goes for her eldest daughter, Ivana, who currently works as a cashier at a minimarket. To encourage her mother, Ivana often told Nurtiah that she will always be there and take care of her. “It’s okay, Ma, stay strong. What matters is that you have Mpa (Ivana’s nickname). Mpa is here to look after and take care of you,” Ivana said. It was through Ivana that Nurtiah was eventually connected with Tzu Chi and received a prosthetic leg to replace the right leg she had lost.
Viona, a Tzu Chi volunteer from the He Qi Tangerang community who accompanied Nurtiah, also shared how their connection began. “The child of the late Mrs. Siti (a recipient of a prosthetic leg from Tzu Chi) and Nurtiah’s daughter are friends. They shared stories about their mothers, who both had undergone leg amputations,” told Viona.
After discussing, Ivana asked Mrs. Siti’s child where to apply for aid for diapers and a prosthetic leg. Then, Ivana was directed to submit a request for aid to Tzu Chi Office located in the Karawaci area, Tangerang.
Camaraderie through Prosthetic Legs
Before working at the minimarket, Ivana worked alongside Rani, the daughter of late Mrs. Siti. Mrs. Siti initially receive a prosthetic leg from Tzu Chi after having her right leg amputated due to a blood vessel blockage. Ivana shared her mother’s condition after the amputation with Rani.
Having gone through a similar experience, Rani brought her mother to visit Nurtiah at her home. Eventually, Mrs. Siti and Nurtiah had a heartfelt conversation and shared their respective conditions with one another.
“When we met, we had a conversation. ‘Stay strong, I’m also an amputee, just like you.’ Mrs. Siti said that to me, giving me encouragement,” Nurtiah recalled.
Viona, a Tzu Chi volunteer who accompanied Nurtiah, offered encouragement during her walking therapy with a prosthetic leg. Previously, Viona had also assisted the late Mrs. Siti during her own walking therapy.
Mrs. Siti’s visit to see Nurtiah was like a breath of fresh air, as it brought positive energy and shared experiences. Initially overwhelmed by sadness, Nurtiah gradually opened her mind to accept reality. “It helped me rebuild my spirit—I realized I wasn’t the only one who had undergone an amputation,” recalled Nurtiah. However, their time together was short-lived. Mrs. Siti suddenly passed away due to a heart condition. At the time, her prosthetic leg was being adjusted at Orthocare Indonesia in Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK), North Jakarta, with assistance from Tzu Chi.
Before the aid application was approved, Tzu Chi volunteers conducted a home visit to Nurtiah’s residence. “We received a report about an aid request from someone with similar condition to the late Mrs. Siti. So we went to do a survey one month after her surgery, and at that time, the wound from the amputation was still fresh. Our initial decision was to support Nurtiah with underpants and adult diapers,” told Viona.
When Tzu Chi volunteers first visited, Nurtiah was still in a weak state—she was thin and often in tears. “Her mental condition and wound were both still very painful at the time,” said Viona. “At that moment, Mrs. Nurtiah asked, ‘Is it possible for me to request a prosthetic leg like Mrs. Siti?’ Because her condition and recovery process were different from Mrs. Siti’s, I told her she needed to be patient until her leg was sufficiently healed. Once healed, I would submit a request for a prosthetic leg, she added.
After Nurtiah had fully recovered, Viona conducted a cross-check again and discovered that both Siti and Nurtiah had their right legs amputated. “When we cross-checked, it turned out that the prosthetic leg used by Mrs. Siti was also for the right leg, and their shoe sizes were the same. So, it was passed on to Mrs. Nurtiah,” Viona explained. Following that, the prosthetic leg underwent remeasurement, especially on the socket (the part that comes in direct contact with the limb) and other components, to adjust the height and fit according to Nurtiah’s leg anatomy.
Nurtiah’s journey didn’t stop there. She was also brought to Orthocare Indonesia for walking therapy using the prosthetic leg. While undergoing therapy in Jakarta, she stayed at the Tzu Chi Cinta Kasih Cengkareng Housings and received living and transportation financial aid for her treatment. On several occasions, Viona mad time to see Nurtiah practicing how to walk. “I’m truly happy. She looks healthier now, her face is brighter, and she jokes around. My hope is that she can return to doing her daily activities like any other homemaker—able to stand, walk, and rise again from her hardships,” said Viona.
Feeling Alive Again
During her first therapy session using the prosthetic leg, Nurtiah felt an overwhelming in her heart. She, who once had to stand with the help of a cane, could now stand tall with the aid of the prosthetic. “Honestly, I feel alive again. I used to think this was how I would be for the rest of my life. But now I have a leg again—I’m happy, like a normal person again,” Nurtiah said joyfully.
At her home, Nurtiah is now able to walk using her prosthetic leg without the aid of a supporting cane. Rina, a staff of Tzu Chi Indonesia Charity Mission, expressed her gratitude for the progress Nurtiah has made.
It wasn’t as easy as imagined for Nurtiah to stand and walk again. She had to struggle to adjust to her new prosthetic leg in order to take steps and learn to walk slowly. “It’s difficult to learn. With a real leg, it swings naturally. With a prosthetic leg, you have to swing, lock, and do other things,” Nurtiah said. “In the beginning, I even fell, my body felt unsteady. But this is my path now, so I have to be able to do it,” she added.
In addition to her strong determination, Nurtiah also felt tremendous support from the Tzu Chi volunteers. Every time she met them; she was always given encouragement to keep walking again. “It was amazing, the volunteers gave me so much support. ‘Ma’am, don’t let our aid go unused, okay?’ And I replied Inshallah, I won’t because I really need to walk,” Nurtiah shared.
Currently, Nurtiah still cannot walk like most people. She still uses cane for balance and to support her prosthetic leg. But having come this far, she is filled with joy. “I’m happy. My dream is to walk again, to go to the market like everyone else. I’m truly grateful Alhamdulillah I came to know the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation. It’s rare to find an organization as kind and understanding as them. They help those in need until they recover. I was given a prosthetic leg that was measured exactly to my needs. I can stand, it fits perfectly, and I can take steps,” said Nurtiah joyfully.
Translator: Putri Millenia Hadinata (Tzu Chi Palembang)
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