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Honduras: dreaming of getting back on track

22-06-2012 Photo gallery

For Central American migrants who throw themselves onto trains bound for the United States as they cross Mexico, their journey holds many dangers. These include rail accidents that lead to hundreds of injuries and amputations every year. Wilmer is a 26-year-old Honduran who lost both legs and his right arm more than a year ago. He is now undergoing physical rehabilitation and longs to get his life back on track.

  • His sister Dinabel helps Wilmer attach his artificial legs. As he only recently got them, it is still a painful process.
    • His sister Dinabel helps Wilmer attach his artificial legs. As he only recently got them, it is still a painful process. In Monterrey hospital, Wilmer discovered that he had also lost both legs. Even now, he still doesn't understand how the accident happened, after spending so many months on trains. He explains that "you get tired, because the train doesn't stop until it reaches the next state. It's the dream that kills you, not so much the hunger but the dream!"
      © ICRC / O. Moekli
  • Wilmer practises walking along the porch of his home.
    • Wilmer practises walking along the porch of his home. "The Red Cross staff told me that they were going to fit me with artificial legs," says Wilmer. Since 2009, the ICRC has been running a physical rehabilitation programme for migrants like Wilmer who are victims of accidents in Mexico. In 2011, 54 people were fitted with artificial limbs. The rehabilitation process was a long one; he did not receive his artificial legs until one year after the accident. "The first couple of days, I put them on and I wanted to move, but I couldn't," he explains. "Then, I managed two or three steps." On the fifth day, he borrowed a crutch and went for a walk, taking it slowly.
      © ICRC / O. Moekli / hn-e-00056
  • Since getting his artificial legs, Wilmer has shown real determination to overcome his ordeal and live as normal a life as possible
    • His mother María says that Wilmer has often been depressed since returning home a year ago. "He used to be very active and hardworking," she says. "Now we have to help him and he often feels useless." But since getting his artificial legs, Wilmer has shown real determination to overcome his ordeal and live as normal a life as possible. "People can learn to overcome anything, one step at a time," assures Wilmer. "Even though I fall down, and I fall down a lot, I keep trying until I succeed."
      © ICRC / O. Moekli / hn-e-00059
  • Wilmer has learnt to play the guitar with his tongue because he didn't want to give up playing. His father plays several instruments and passed on his love of music to Wilmer.
    • Wilmer has learnt to play the guitar with his tongue because he didn't want to give up playing. His father plays several instruments and passed on his love of music to Wilmer.
      © ICRC / O. Moekli / hn-e-00057
  • On horseback, Wilmer crosses the river running through the valley between his home and his farm. Wilmer lives in a remote spot in the mountains.
    • On horseback, Wilmer crosses the river running through the valley between his home and his farm. Wilmer lives in a remote spot in the mountains. The nearest town is 20 km away. The terrain is rocky and steep, and it will always be hard for him to get around. That's why he has to ride. His artificial legs help him keep his balance.
      © ICRC / O. Moekli / hn-e-00064
  • Like his father and two brothers, Wilmer grows coffee and banana on a small scale.
  • Wilmer can now perform basic tasks around the farm. Once he gets his artificial arm, he hopes that he will be able to do even more.
  • His father and brother help him get on and off his horse. Wilmer still depends a great deal on his family.
  • Wilmer talks to his father Feliciano, who massages his stump at the same time.
  • Wilmer swims in the river that runs through his land.

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