SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - A Nigerian woman is going home with both of her legs after Miami doctors were able to save her from losing one to an amputation.
Nidi Ojobo, 29, got a standing ovation from the medical team at West Kendall Baptist Hospital, Wednesday afternoon. She is now walking on her own after a injury in her home country of Nigeria that had doctors recommending amputation.
Before she came to Miami in 2015, she had already undergone multiple surgeries in multiple continents, with each doctor telling her amputation was the best option for leading a normal life. However, Ojobo wouldn’t accept that.
“Everywhere I was going to, they were telling me they had to amputate the leg,” she said.
Surrounded by her doctor and physical therapist, Ojobo was overcome with emotion knowing the months of hard work had paid off.
“When patients are motivated and work hard, they can overcome any odds,” said orthopedic surgeon Dr. Charles Jordan.
But to get to this moment — it wasn’t easy for Ojobo. “She had a metal frame around her leg, she barely walked with crutches,” said her physical therapist, Janet Acosta. “She went from almost crying every session that she would come in, not wanting me to touch her leg, to slowly walking.”
Thanks to her determination, Ojobo was able to walk again without amputating her leg.
Dr. Jordan performed three surgeries over the course of a little less than two years. He also admits he had some tough conversations with Ojobo about her progress and treatment.
“We actually had a long talk,” Jordan said. “Multiple times, she came into my office. Two or three times, and we spent at least an hour each time just talking about how hard it would be to even attempt to do this without knowing if it was going to work.”
Despite having all the odds against her, the team at the hospital didn’t give up — and neither did she.
“Things like this, events like this are just a testament to the team we have here, how hard everyone works, to make people get better,” Jordan said.
“I am very happy with her progress,” Acosta said. “I’m proud that we were able to help her, and she’s going to be able to lead a normal life.”
Ojobo said she is thankful for what the doctors did for her. “I just want to say how grateful I am,” she said. “I will never forget them in my life. I don’t know how to pay them back.”
Ojobo said she will head back to Nigeria, where she’s aspiring to become a hair dresser.
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