Barr Foundation Leads Team Effort to Assist Amputees in Guatemala

Barr Foundation Leads Team Effort to Assist Amputees in Guatemala

9/22/2003

Amputees from GuatemalaI am please to inform you, that at the end of August
and beginning of September, we completed the prosthetic rehabilitation of
two amputees from Guatemala, sponsored by the Barr Foundation.(Photos
available upon request).
  Gladys, is a 12 year old girl, from the North Atlantic city of Puerto
Barrios, who was born with congenital anomalies. During her life, she never
had the opportunity to receive a prosthesis. Fortunately for her some
members from Airline Ambassadors International, a non-profit organization
from Florida, crossed her path and found little Gladys. Immediately Penny
Rambacher, begin to make efforts to help her and found The Barr Foundation
Web page on the Internet. Initially several efforts where made to bring her
to the U.S. with no success. The second option was to find assistance in
Guatemala, so we got in touch with Prosthetist Julio Fuentes who evaluated
her and determined her prosthetic needs.

  Finally a long waiting moment came on Monday, August 18, 2003 when Gladys
was first fitted with prosthesis and began to walk.

  It is important to mention that the prosthetic rehabilitation of little
Gladys was a true team effort. Airline Ambassadors International provided
the airline ticket for me to go Guatemala and deliver all the components
needed, oversee the rehabilitation process and deliver the prosthesis. The
Barr Foundation covered the cost of fabrication. College Park Industries
provided the foot. Precision Orthotics and Prosthetics from St. Louis and P
& O Care from Fairview Heights from Illinois provided the components needed
for this Humanitarian effort.

  The second amputee assisted by the Barr Foundation on this effort was
Luis, a 37 year old, former boxer from Guatemala City, who was assaulted
with a machete, suffering multiples injuries through all his body. Due to
these injuries he lost his left lower extremity above the knee. His family
contacted Prosthetist Julio Fuentes, who got in touch with the Barr
Foundation, soliciting the assistance for him. Fortunately, his application
was approved and at the end of August, just few days before his 38 birthday,
he received a gift he had never dream off, his first artificial limb.

  This was another team effort, coordinated by Eddy Fuentes,CPO and the Barr
Foundation's Central and South America Assistance Coordinator, beginning
with the Foundation covering the fabrication costs, College Park Industries
provided his foot, Euro International provided all componentry for the
transfemoral prosthesis.

  The Barr Foundation is very grateful to every person and institution
involved, recognizing that very few amputees overseas, are fortunate to be
reached by these and other humanitarian organizations :

  Penny Rambacher from Airline Ambassadors International,
  Eric Robinson and Angela Frontera of College Park Industries
  Candy Morin from Euro International
  Jon Wilson, C.P. from P & O Care
  Sidney Sprouse, CP from Precision Prosthetics and Orthotics
  Julio Fuentes, P.O. Guatemala
  Eddy Leopoldo Fuentes, C.P.O.Shriner's Children's Hospital,St.Louis Mo.
  The Barr Foundation Central and South America Prosthetist Coordinator


  The Barr Foundation has successfully provided over 800 amputees located
domestically and abroad,with prosthetic rehabilitation thru the efforts of
over 150 sponsoring prosthetists and 100 corporate and individual members of
our Where Hope Meet Helps Donor Club.See www.oandp.com/barr

  Thank you for your continued support.

  Anthony T. Barr

  President

  Barr Foundation

  www.oandp.com/barr