Discussion on Looking for Elbows for use in Haiti
Al Ingersoll
Description
Collection
Title:
Discussion on Looking for Elbows for use in Haiti
Creator:
Al Ingersoll
Date:
5/6/2003
Text:
John and Peter,
I recently returned from Haiti, having worked at the same clinic as Matt
Ray and Matt Bracken, and personally worked with two people with short
above elbow amputations. Both were young men, married with children, who
desperately wanted a prosthesis to try and allow them to return to work
farming. They insisted that their employers were holding jobs for them if
they had two arms. I as a prosthetist knew how difficult it would be for
them to return to their previous level of function but I could not convince
them otherwise.
I learned that it is not my role to dissuade people from getting a device
they perceive as making them whole again, even if I know that it might not
get used long term. I totally understand the costs involved with this but
still think that if we are successful with one in ten than that is worth
it.
Check out www.healinghandsforhaiti.org for more information.
Thanks.
Al Ingersoll, Certified Prosthetist
Winkley Orthotics & Prosthetics
740 Douglas Drive North
Golden Valley MN 55422 USA
763-546-1177x128 Phone
763-252-1128 Direct to VM
763-847-9508 Fax
1-800-Winkley
<Email Address Redacted>
www.Winkley.com
I recently returned from Haiti, having worked at the same clinic as Matt
Ray and Matt Bracken, and personally worked with two people with short
above elbow amputations. Both were young men, married with children, who
desperately wanted a prosthesis to try and allow them to return to work
farming. They insisted that their employers were holding jobs for them if
they had two arms. I as a prosthetist knew how difficult it would be for
them to return to their previous level of function but I could not convince
them otherwise.
I learned that it is not my role to dissuade people from getting a device
they perceive as making them whole again, even if I know that it might not
get used long term. I totally understand the costs involved with this but
still think that if we are successful with one in ten than that is worth
it.
Check out www.healinghandsforhaiti.org for more information.
Thanks.
Al Ingersoll, Certified Prosthetist
Winkley Orthotics & Prosthetics
740 Douglas Drive North
Golden Valley MN 55422 USA
763-546-1177x128 Phone
763-252-1128 Direct to VM
763-847-9508 Fax
1-800-Winkley
<Email Address Redacted>
www.Winkley.com
Citation
Al Ingersoll, “Discussion on Looking for Elbows for use in Haiti,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 2, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/221103.
