Dignity:Liberia
  • Home
  • What is fistula?
    • Liberia: A Nation in Recovery
  • Our Mission
    • Board of Directors
    • Liberia NGO Office
    • Our Partners
  • Get Involved
    • Maternity Waiting Home
    • Past Campaigns and Updates
    • Serve as a Dignity Advocate
    • Healthcare Service Teams
  • Donate
    • Give to Dignity:Liberia
    • Donate Supplies
    • Our Wishlist
    • Meet Our Supporters
  • News
    • Let's Palava
    • Board Access (restricted)
    • Photos
  • Contact

In a Fistula Survivor's Voice

12/5/2018

0 Comments

 
Fistula Survivor’s Name:  Helena Johnson
Interview Date:  September 4, 2018
Interview Location:  Phebe Rehab Center, Bong County, Liberia
Interviewers:  Kathy Beth Stavinoha and Kathi Gutierrez

Picture
Helena Johnson is 24 years old.  Born in Bong County, she grew up in Monrovia, located in Montserrado County.  Her mother is dead.  Her father lives in Gbarnga (“Banga”) but she has not seen him in a long time.  She has four brothers.  She has one child, a daughter.  Her baby son died with her mother.
 
Helena got her fistula when she was 22 years old.  When she went into labor, she first saw a midwife.*  The midwife pressed on her stomach, put things in her mouth, and did other things to try to deliver the baby.  After being in labor for 3 days, Helena was taken to Rennie Hospital in Kakata where they operated on her.  However, before they reached the hospital, she developed a fistula.   
 
She is no longer leaking.  After 2 years, she had a fistula repair surgery.  It took only one surgery to clear up her fistula and now she is dry. 
 
She didn’t like being wet all the time.  The hardest thing about having a fistula was that her clothes kept getting dirty; she had lots of laundry. 
 
At the Rehabilitation Center, she chose to study cosmetology for her trade.  After graduation, she plans to return to Monrovia to open up a cosmetology shop and to live her life
 
Helena would tell her friends “they shouldn’t be like me.”  She would encourage them to go to the hospital to give birth.
 
She has gone through 7th grade but couldn’t continue because she has no money.  For her future, she wants to focus on school.  Then she could do things for her children. 
 
Helena is a fistula survivor.  Hear her story in her own voice.

* The midwife referenced in this interview refers to a “traditional midwife” or a tribal birth attendant who has no medical training.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Categories

    All
    Dignity Advocate Teams
    In A Fistula Survivor's Voice
    Trips

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017

    RSS Feed


    Visit our photo gallery >
 
Bringing restoration and hope to women with fistula and their communities 
through healing, education, and prevention.

Let's  end fistula together

Follow. Like. Share.
Dignity:Liberia is a 501(c)3 not for profit corporation. 
Donations made to Dignity:Liberia are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
© 2020  Dignity: Liberia
Web Design + Development by The Brave Creative