by L. DH and K. Villota 

Ms. Bonnie Jara and her new leg.

Last week, Bonnie Jara, 22, Pawn Shop associate and Dead End Public Services waste director, was given a new prosthetic leg. The leg was presented to Jara by Dr. Princess Yheng, a physician at the Dead End Medical Hospital, during a news conference. Jara lost her leg in early December 2013 and received her new prosthetic leg close to the two-year anniversary of her accident.

Dr. Yheng at Dead End Medical Hospital.

Yheng, 30, is on the Dead End Health System board of directors, and is the director of scientific research at DEMH. After seeing Jara at the Public Services Dead End grand opening, she had coordinated with Xelan Yheng and arranged for the prosthetic leg and donations.

Princess Yheng said, “Prosthetic limbs are expensive, costing $20,000 or more, not even including any of the fittings or physical therapy that go with them. As health professionals, we’ve sworn oaths to end suffering. So, obviously, we’d love to give such a gift to everyone who needs one. Sadly, it takes more than a handful of doctors and nurses to make that happen. Today, we’re giving a woman who suffers a very merry Christmas. Her current leg is ill-fitting. We’ve treated her for infections several times. But no more. Her new leg will fit perfectly, and allow for more comfortable and natural movement.”

The following people and businesses had generously contributed towards a fund to buy Jara her prosthetic leg: Ming Yheng, of Yheng Transport; Xelan Yheng, of The Pawn Shop and Public Services Dead End; Pagan Newport-Yheng and the District Attorney’s office; Princess Yheng and the staff of Dead End Memorial Hospital; Luna Ann MacClawden, of The Red Herring Cafe; Vie Bayne, of Pharaoh’s Bookstore; Andi Bayne, of Synthetic Realities; Lucas Bayne, of The Eights Pool Hall and Bar; and Sharebear, of Sugar Rush Candy Boutique.

“I don’t think I’ve gotten a shock like this before in my whole life,” said Jara. “It’s definitely the best Christmas present I’ve ever gotten. And up there with some of the best things I’ve ever experienced.”

Jara’s Pawn Shop colleagues were also delighted to hear of the unexpected present.

Ming Yheng commented, “Now you can walk like real girl instead of Peking Duck, yes? Is happy day!” She added, “You know, if you is smart, you can even sell old leg in Pawn Shop!”

Princess Yheng said of patients who need prosthetic limbs, “I think that they definitely should at least have guaranteed access to the latest and greatest when it comes to fake parts. Prosthetics are complicated. An ill-fitting prosthetic causes all sorts of other maladies including pain, skin abrasions, infections, and life difficulties too numerous to count. It really makes a difference on your quality of life to have a leg that you can actually walk comfortably on.”