From China to Chicago (fwd)

From China to Chicago (fwd)

Steve Lael Kurzman

5/18/1998

Hello O&Plisters,
My name is Steve Kurzman and I'm a cultural anthropologist doing research
on the prosthetics field in Chicago (think medical sociology, not Indiana
Jones). I'm also an amp myself (LBK), which is how I got interested.
Anyway, I recently received an email from an American doctor in China who
has some questions about prosthetics and alternative assistive
technology. If anybody can offer him suggestions, especially with very
low-tech solutions or a willingness to offer him advice and consultation,
it would be much appreciated.
Please respond directly to him at <Email Address Redacted>
Thank you very much,
Steve Kurzman

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sun, 17 May 1998 19:17:23 +0900
From: <Email Address Redacted>
To: <Email Address Redacted>
Subject: From China to Chicago

Dear Steven,

        I am an American physician working in SW China. I currently serve as
the primary care physician for a school of about 400 disabled students aged
16-22. There are about 2 million people in this province who classify as
disabled according to government statistics. This is the ONLY school for
teaching them technical skills.
        I decided to search the Net (it is painfully slow from here) because of
my desire to assist those who lack a limb. There are 8 students who lack a lower
extremity and 18 who lack an upper extremity.

        I have been most interested in the students with lower limb amputations.
Five female students and three males have need of a prosthesis. Most simply lack
a below the knee prosthesis. Three (I think) have proximal amputations.

        Have you found that patients who have used other methods of coping with
an amputation have a particularly difficult time adjusting? The reason for
asking is this - I don't know if I should try to find them what I can here
because it is cheap ($50-100 ea.) to get a prosthesis OR if I should try to get
the students to hold out for a higher quality prosthesis.

        A couple of the students have tried locally made prosthetics but find
them poorly fitted and too heavy. Now, these students have gone more than 10
years with just a crutch through which they place their leg. They have many
associated problems from the use of the crutch in this rather unorthodox manner.
Those missing upper extremities often lack only the hand on one arm. Still, the
arm is practically useless.
        Moreover, one immediately sees their physical deformity. At the school,
they are relatively accepting of eachother being in the same boat as it were.
However, these students will soon be going back to their countryside homes where
they are looked at as people who have nothing to offer. What is more, they will
have missed whatever chance they have had in the city to get some help from
outside.
        If you know of anyone or organization who works with providing
prosthesis abroad or simply consulting with those who, like me, end up dealing
with prosthetic devices despite a totol lack of expertise, could you contact me?
There is a factory here that makes artificial limbs but the quality is
questionable. As stated, several students have actually tried locally made
prostheses but find they prefer the crutch. Like many similar situations, there
is not the necessary follow up here. People sell stuff and that's it.
        Most of these students lost their legs in the late 70's from improperly
given injections. Some others lost limbs from infection. One lost a hand in a
work accident. I wish I could tell you about every one. Their lives are
incredible with nightmarish pasts yet a hope in their eyes.

        If and when you have time, let me hear your comments would you?

                                                        Warmly, Doug Briggs, MD