Ulrich, a cheerful and open-minded boy, was born in Africa with a severe rare condition—quadriceps contracture. Because of this, his legs bent backward and his knees could not straighten.
Until the age of 12, he moved around with the help of crutches, literally carrying his entire body weight on his arms. His leg muscles developed too slowly, his bones pulled forward, and the child walked bent in half. This caused constant pain, and those around him saw him as a hopeless invalid.
Many people mistook his condition for polio, a common consequence of lack of vaccination in poor regions. But local doctors did not undertake the operation: the case seemed too complicated. His parents could not afford treatment at large clinics, and Ulrich continued to suffer, knowing that his condition would only get worse.
A turning point came when the charity Africa Mercy took the boy under its wing. He was sent for examination, after which the surgeons decided to operate. First, they straightened his right leg, then his left — both operations were successful.
Long weeks of rehabilitation lay ahead, but Ulrich’s joy was boundless. For the first time in his life, he was able to stand up straight. And the first thing he did on his new legs was to walk over and hug his mother.
Unable to go to school before, he now set himself a new goal: to finally start learning.
