Injury Date: 1990
Injuries: right leg amputated at the knee, internal/ trauma plus loss of family wage earner.
Home: Stung Trang District, Kompong Cham Province, Cambodia
First contact with CPI: Feb 2002
CPI Assistance: Receiving vocational training in electronics, social/emotional support, nutrition. Will provide access to follow up medical care, additional surgery, as needed, rehab and mobility device.
Occupation: Belongs to a family of subsistence farmers. Until enrollment in vocational training program, Ith had no confidence, skill or ability to work.

Ith Komsoth, now age 33, was injured 13 years ago in the battlefield against the Khmer Rouge. Since his injury he has lived at home with his mother, father and five siblings in their modest traditional Cambodia home in Stung Trang District, Kompong Cham Province. During the battle he stepped on a mine, changing his life forever. At the time of his accident he received medical attention provided by the Cambodia army, which resulted in an amputation at the kneecap on his right leg. Since his release he has received a pension equivalent to $4 USD per month. Despite chronic pain and discharge from the wound, Ith has not seen a medical professional since 1990.

He has lived in isolation, making contact with only those who come to visit him in his home. At the time of CPI’s first meeting with Ith he reported not having left his house in 12 years. With the encouragement from Mr. Kim, the vocational training local coordinator, also a below the knee amputee survivor, Ith agreed to come down from his 12 year isolation and join the other 29 landmine/uxo survivors participating in Clear Path’s Vocational Training, a first of it’s kind in his own home district. He was scared and shy at first. However, he has blossomed with the personal interactions as he’s learned that he is not alone. Ith has been studying electronics. His teacher reports his success in the program and that Ith’s intention is to open up a small electronic repair shop in front of his house. He hopes to do this with both the help from CPI and his brother. Ith still feels shy and insecure around able-bodied villagers or in public where he fears being stared at. His new friends from the program help him by bringing his lunch to him, from the local food stall (in the community) where food is provided daily to our students.

CPI’s medical advisor suggests corrective surgery to promote Ith’s recovery and potential for successful prosthetic adaptation.

Though Ith fears returning to the hospital and reliving the trauma of amputation, he is facing his fear as he has agreed to accept the support of CPI to facilitate and pay for his visit to the hospital.