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

7/14/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
Fistula Survivor’s Name:  Wilhelmina Davis
Interview Date:  February 25, 2020
Interview Location:  Phebe Rehabilitation Center, Bong County
Interviewer:  Kathy Beth Stavinoha
Assisted by: Emma K. Katakpah
 
Wilhelmina Davis is from Grand Gedeh County.  She told me “thank you, God will bless you,” in Krahn, her dialect.  She has five brothers and three sisters.  She has four children of her own.  Her oldest is 18.  Her next child is 12.  The third one is 10.  Her fourth child is 7.  They are all four boys.  Her youngest had been living in Grand Gedeh County, but she sent for him to join her at the Rehab Center.  Wilhelmina is 35 and has not been to school.  Her favorite color is blue
 
She got her fistula from going to the bush to give birth (giving birth at home).  The pain grabbed her (she was in labor), but those assisting with her delivery did not want to wait. They asked her how many hours she had been in labor.  They did not want to listen to her.  They were trying to force delivery by hauling the child (pulling on the baby).  The people said that something was coming from underneath her so they took her to Redemption [Hospital].  They gave her some medicine and sent her home.  She went to Dr. Mulbah’s clinic and he said she had a fistula. 
 
Dr. Mulbah repaired her fistula.  Dr. Mabry did a follow-up examination for some residual incontinence, but she said Wilhelmina no longer has a fistula.  She said she would be okay.  Wilhemina still leaks small small (a little bit).
 
She was feeling bad when she had her fistula.  Her big sister didn’t want her to feel bad.  She didn’t want her to be worrying.  She would hold her and talk to her.  She assured her that God would be with her and that God would help her. 
 
But her boyfriend didn’t have time for her since she had her fistula.  Since she was in Monrovia, he wouldn’t even call her.  Her sister was the one that took care of her.  She didn’t do anything to make her feel bad.  Whatever she wanted; her sister would do for her.  She gave her support.  She told her to come to the Rehab Center to learn a trade.
 
Her friends wouldn’t come around.  She couldn’t tell them her secret.  Because when you tell your secret, they’ll be “carrying your name around” (gossiping) so she’s got no friends.  She just kept quiet about it.  She said “My stomach is feeling all right.”  No one besides her sister knew of her problem (fistula), because if you explain your problem they’ll be “carrying your name all around.” 
 
She learned tailoring, soap making, and bread making.  But there hasn’t been any material for a year now.  She’s been at Rehab for one year.  She wants to go home.  She wants to fix soap and bread to sell for money so she can send her son to school.  She would be supporting her children. 
 
She would tell a pregnant friend to go to Phebe Hospital to wait until your time is reached [you’re ready to deliver].  If you’re pregnant go to the hospital to deliver safely to avoid getting a fistula.
 
Wilhelmina is a fistula survivor.  Hear her story in her own voice.

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