A father-of-four who was thrown from a bus has been left with limbs as stiff as wood and has been unable to leave his bed for 24 years.
Mas Tazul Munir, 55, from West Kalimantan in Indonesia, has legs that form an ‘O’ shape and fingers that have been ‘frozen’ for more than two decades due to the injuries he obtained from the accident in 1994.
The former bus driver, who suffers from a form of rheumatism, initially shunned medical treatment in favour of alternative medicine, visiting at least 80 faith healers.
Mr Munir relies on his four sons, the youngest of which was born just 20 days before the accident, to feed and wash him every day.
He said: ‘I feel this is how God wishes me to live.’
Mas Tazul Munir hopes for a miracle after his ‘wooden’ body makes him unable to leave his bed
The father-of-four claims he has limbs as stiff as wood, with his legs forming an ‘O’ shape
He adds his fingers have been ‘frozen’ for more than two decades (pictured are his feet)
‘I could not even turn my head’
Mr Munir was returning from a party after drinking with friends when a dog suddenly jumped in front of his vehicle.
He lost control of the bus, resulting in it flipping and leaving him seriously injured.
Mr Munir said: ‘That night I was drinking with my colleagues. Then we decided to buy more liquor. As I was driving a dog suddenly crossed over.
‘I had to save him but while doing so the bus lost control and rolled twice. I was thrown out and tossed twice in the air.
‘For months I laid in hospital beds completely immobile. I could not even turn my head.’
Mr Munir initially shunned medical treatment in favour of alternative medicine
He has visited at least 80 faith healers and believes his condition may be ‘God’s will’
Mr Munir relies on his four sons to care for him, including washing and feeding him
‘I feel this is God’s will’
Mr Munir is cared for by his four sons, the last of which was born just 20 days before the incident.
He says he hates depending on his young sons and every day waits for a miracle that will help him get back on his feet.
Mr Munir said: ‘I wonder what happened to me. I was a happy man taking good care of my family.
‘I feel this is God’s will but I still have hopes of getting treatment and walking again. I wish to see a day when I can get to live a normal life.’
Mr Munir has since visited conventional doctors and been given a diagnosis
He was driving a bus in 1994, which swerved and flipped over when a dog ran into the road
Mr Munir claims he lay in hospital for months after the accident, unable to move his head
‘I looked for alternative medicine’
Mr Munir, who has since visited conventional medics, said: ‘Doctors have told me I have complications of uric acid, inflammation of joints and rheumatism.
‘But I was not happy to undergo medical treatment at the hospital and so I looked for alternative medicine.
‘I even tried suspended animation but I woke up. I feel this is how God wishes me to live.’
WHAT IS RHEUMATISM?
Rheumatism once described a range of rheumatic conditions but is no longer used by healthcare professionals.
It defines disorders that cause inflamed joints.
Different type of rheumatism:
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of joint disease.
It affects at least eight million people in the UK. Around 10 per cent of people over 60 in the US suffer.
Symptoms include:
- Pain, particularly at the end of the day or after joint use
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- An inability to properly use joints
- A grinding sensation in joints
Anyone can suffer from osteoarthritis but it is more common in:
- People in their late 40s or older
- Women
- Overweight people
- Those with a history of joint injury
There is no cure.
Many people are able to manage their condition via weight management and exercise.
Rheumatism once described a range of rheumatic conditions but is no longer used by healthcare professionals
For some, treatment can include painkillers, surgery or steroid injections.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation in the joints.
It affects around 400,000 people in the UK. Around 1.29 million suffer in the US.
Symptoms include:
- Joint pain and swelling
- Stiffness
- Fatigue, depression and irritability
- Anaemia
Its cause is unclear, however, rheumatoid arthritis is more common in:
- Smokers
- People who eat a lot of red meat
- Those who drink a lot of coffee
There is no cure.
Treatment focuses on managing pain and maintaining joint movement.
Source: Arthritis Foundation and Arthritis Research UK