IamA 14yr old Ebola survivor in remote Liberia

Did you have to pay for any of your treatment?

No it was free.

Whats your favorite thing to do?

School

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I know. Someone give that poor kid an Xbox.

What? (note: this was literally his reaction when we asked if he wanted an Xbox)

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

I don't know ice cream.

Are you now immune to it?

Yes

How did you get Ebola?

My elder sister got sick in Monrovia. When my sister passed away my grandmother also got sick because she was taking care for her. My father went to bring her his mother to Bong where I live as he wanted to take care of her. During that time we ate together and that is how I got infected.

What was the first thing you did after being told you were Ebola free?

I called my family to tell them I was discharged from the hospital.

How bad did you feel during the course of the illness? Was it the worst pain you've ever experienced?

It was my first time experiencing this type of sickness. It was very bad because I experienced all the symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, headache, weakness, no sleeping. I had never experienced all of these things together and it was very painful.

What agency or organization is doing the most good where you live to deal with Ebola epidemic?

Save the Children and Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

Save the Children

Does this have anything to do with Athenes relation witht the organisation? Did you visit a Save the Children camp?

Note: The most active organisations in Liberia surrounding the fight against Ebola are Save the Children, IMC and MSF. Mohamed did not know Athene nor Save the Children before his treatment.

Although Athene and I have been following the Ebola crisis closely, being here and seeing actual faces instead of statistics made us tear up at times. At home we imagined thousands of cases scattered throughout different countries. But being here we see how an entire culture has deeply changed in ways we would never think of. From mandatory hand-washing at almost every single doorstep to the complete avoidance of any physical contact. And this coming from a culture that is used to be very warm and intimate in there interactions.

One event that particularly moved us was a smiling 9 year old girl who also survived Ebola and wanted to tell her story when we explained her the way we were setting up a Reddit AMA. But we were hesitant after finding out she had lost both of her parents to Ebola and was being taken care of by her sisters. The last thing we would want is for what we are here for to be misinterpreted. We would love for her to be able to tell her heartbreaking story but would only do so if the Reddit community would be ok with it. In case we decide not to we, still wanted to post this picture to share her amazing strength as she was such an inspiration to us. http://imgur.com/DwOlShL&ZuynyY2#1

Are there many people you know in your immediate area affected by Ebola?

My grandmother, my elder sister, my 5 year old sister, my father and my stepmother.

How did it feel to be quarantined?

I felt bad about myself. Because I needed help but I could not get help from my family or others that were close to me. I only got helped by strangers.

What kept your spirits up while you were sick?

I was praying everyday that I would survive.

Do you play differently with your friends now than before?

I still play soccer but don't shake hands.

What is the biggest change that has happened to you since Ebola became such a threat to so many people in Liberia? How did it change your day to day life?

Hygiene control, washing hands everywhere and immediately report any sick people.

What is that survivor certificate actually needed for?

The community knows I have Ebola and by showing the document I can show that I'm cured so they know I went through the treatment.

Did having Ebola change your outlook on life?

Also, is there any way to help besides donations? All my money is going into college right now, and can't really give any significant amount of financial help to the charities you listed. Is there any other way I can make a difference?

First I wanted to become a mechanic but now that I have experienced Ebola I would like to start going to school and not only be a mechanic.

Are you reunited with your family and loved ones now?

I lost my sisters, grandmother and stepmother. But I am reunited with the rest of my family.

What were the reactions of the people in your community you know when you started to become sick?

We were rejected by our community and they kept distance from us.

How long were you in quarantine?

one month and fifteen days

Great to see you survived such a horrible illness and thanks a lot for doing this AMA, my question is what is your dream job when you grow up?

I would love to work for NGO's.

Was it a psychically painful experience?

I thought I would never make it.

I've read that ebola survivors were tasked with taking care of the sick after their discharge. did you elect to do this, and if so, what are your thoughts on having suffered through this, survived, and seeing others in the same state without the same prospect of surviving?

They haven't asked me to treat other patients.

Love, luck or money?

Luck.

Why does the post say you're 14, but the certificate say you're 12?

I think the people who made the certificate made a mistake. (note: people get ages wrong very often in Liberia)

How has your community reacted to your recovery? Is there any hesitation in having interactions with you due to the stigma surrounding Ebola?

I was lucky to be welcomed by my community.

What was the scariest part of the whole ordeal?

The thought of dying.

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I tried to isolate myself from other people and felt very bad thinking about the disease, my friends, my family and whether I would survive Ebola.

Did you ever feel like it was the end? How did it feel?

Yes, I felt unhappy.

What's your favorite sport?

Soccer

I played for Mecklenburg Union Futbol Club. Are we the same person?!!!

Actually I recall there were some Liberians on the team a year above my age group. Did a cousin or brother from Charlotte, NC give that to you?

After I got the treatment, and when I was coming home there was someone selling clothes. I asked for the price for that t-shirt and he gave it to me for free because he saw that I had no clothes.

What is one thing the treatment centers need more of that would make the most difference?

Giving people the tablets and make sure they keep washing.

What would you tell to all those guys that have Ebola right now and are feeling very sad?

I would tell them that it's very important to get to a health center as soon as possible. The faster you get treatment, the quicker they get well. And I would tell them not to lose hope.

Thank you for coming on AMA. Most of us know very little about Ebola other than what we hear on the news. I am so very sorry for the loss of your sister. Ebola is a terrible illness. Are you optimistic that it can be eradicated eventually?

Yes, I am.

Do you feel like having had Ebola will permanently alter your life in any way?

I don't know if this will permanently change my life.

What kind of Internet connection do you have? What's your favorite sport? If you could have one superpower what would it be?

I don't have Internet. Favorite sport is soccer. I would want the power to travel.

What things did you miss the most during your period of being ill?

I missed my friends and family.

Which country/countries' medical team/teams assisted you?

I saw many health workers but the ones I recognized were from America.

How long were you treated? How did they treat you?

They were giving me pills, checking my blood, anything I needed they brought to me and they would talk to me and comfort me.

How has it affected you since? Do you still suffer from stygma?

Not at the moment

Now that you are cured do you just want to forget this experience or do you feel the need to help others against the disease (Like talking to others about it in you country) ?

I want to help others and share my experience.

How much knowledge did you and your neighbors have about Ebola prior to your families infection?

Before Ebola, I knew about the symptoms of it and that it is a killer disease.

What is your personal reaction to the social changes in Liberia resulting from the new regulations on hygiene control and avoidance of physical contact?

I think it is a good practice for the community. It is good that we are preventing more spread.

Are you still on some medication even after being diagnosed successfully ?

No. I have finished the medication.

How bad was the disease in your community ? As in how many people are suffering from it.

My family got it but other people in the community also got it.

Do you feel like enough was done to inform people about the dangers of ebola?

Yes.

Do people look at you differently now because you had Ebola?

No. I don't think so.

Did you notice a major change in your condition of living since the Ebola crisis has increased?

I noticed a lot of restrictions, schools closed and people didn't come around any more to have their bikes fixed.

How are you doing now?

I'm fine.

What was the first thing you did when you were declared cured?

I called my family.

What are your dreams?

My dream is to work for an NGO.

Could you hug your parents and get physical comfort from them, or did you have to refrain from touching other people due to contamination risk?

No I was not allowed because I was sick.

What do you know about games and computers in general? and What do you think about all the unknown persons trying to help you through out a stream or internet??

Wish you, your family, and all the people in Liberia to get a brighter and better future with our help ;) much love and respect <3

I don't know about computers but I know games like soccer. I am happy that people are responding and helping the community.