Meningitis Victim Jeremiah Mitchell Learns To Walk Again

Dan Bewley, News On 6

TULSA, Oklahoma -- Another milestone on the road to recovery for Jeremiah Mitchell.

The 7-year-old lost his arms and legs to bacterial meningitis last year. Monday, he met a Brazilian man who is traveling the same path.

6/30/2010 Related Story: Jeremiah Mitchell Adjusting To Life After Meningitis

Pedro Pimenta lost his arms and legs to bacterial meningitis a year and-a-half ago. The 20-year old Brazilian man was in Tulsa to meet Jeremiah Mitchell.

"I saw a kid that wants to get back walking. He doesn't want to sit, he just wants to stand and try to walk...this is the best," Pedro said.

Pedro and Jeremiah share a common bond; both are now quad amputees and learning how to walk again.

"My message to them is that in the beginning it's really tough," Pedro said.

Pedro got his stubbies, the smaller version of the prosthetic legs, in December. He's now graduated to a full leg.

Jeremiah has only had his stubbies for a few weeks. He's learning muscle control and how to stay balanced.

"Pretty soon he's going to be able to walk on this and pretty soon he's going to be able to do a lot of stuff that, I bet, they didn't imagine he could do but he can," Pedro said.

Pedro wants Jeremiah's family to know that it's going to be difficult, but with some hard work and a good attitude he'll soon be walking and using his prosthetic arms.

Jeremiah's mother, Machaela Mitchell, says meeting Pedro is sure to make a lasting impression on her son.

"It's helped him to push even harder and that's what I want him to do...to see that he can stand, that he does have arms and legs to look forward too," she said.

Pedro says it's Jeremiah who's the inspiration. He says he won't forget this meeting and hopes to come back again.

"Pretty amazed at what he's been doing here and his happiness, his willing power...it's amazing," he said.

Jeremiah will use the stubbies for the next several weeks until he gets more comfortable with them. He'll start getting fitted for his prosthetic arms Tuesday.

03/08/2011 Related Story: Family Of Oologah Meningitis Victim Jeremiah Mitchell To Move Into New Home