Russell gets prosthetic leg

Russell Sarkar, who lost a leg after a bus ran him over in April last year, received a prosthetic leg yesterday.

A Swiss-made artificial leg was attached to Russell's knee at Centre for Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP) around 11:30am .CRP is bearing the whole cost, said Mohammad Shafiq, head of CRP's prosthetic and orthotics department.

“After conducting a number of assessment tests, we attached a leg to Russell,” said Shafiq, adding that it usually takes four weeks to get used to with an artificial leg.

Russell will have to practice a lot to adjust his movement with the leg, Shafiq also said.

Russell was seen practicing walking at CRP's prosthetic and orthotics department yesterday morning, directed by a group of physicians.  

Talking to The Daily Star there, Russell said after he lost his leg, he was utterly depressed. But now, he is seeing a ray of hope to return to normal life.

Russell expressed his gratitude to CRP for donating an artificial leg and all the support.

Russell, 26, was knocked down by a Green Line bus near Mayor Mohammad Hanif Flyover in the capital's Dholaipar on April 28 last year. The incident happened after an altercation broke out between Russell and the bus driver over rear-ending his car. As Russel chased down the bus, the bus driver ran him over.

On April 11, Green Line Paribahan handed Tk 5 lakh to Russell following an HC order and is expected to pay another Tk 45 lakh in 30 days.