Dominican Republic Update
Jim DeWees
Description
Collection
Title:
Dominican Republic Update
Creator:
Jim DeWees
Date:
5/20/2010
Text:
I want to take a minute to share with everyone on the list about the work in the Dominican Republic, and the organization that began in 2004. I am now in the 6th year of working down there with a local O&P office, which is owned by a couple CPOs who are certified by ISPO and other organizations.
We have made nearly 200 limbs now for free, or for minimal charges to the patients through the not-for-profit organization. Almost all of the components that have been used have been donated to my office in Indiana, and then re-used in this country. We have had to purchase some of the components when I was unable to find a used one. Just before going on this last trip, I had asked for any hip disartic joints, and have several generous people on here contact me to offer their stock, and I am extremely appreciative to those that did donate parts to this project.
Also, a few companies donated socks and feet for this trip and in the past, and ALL of this stuff gets used for people who could never get a prosthesis any other way in this country.
There are several Haitian amputees that have been transported to Santo Domingo, who are also being seen at this office, and being fit with prosthetics this coming week from parts that have been donated to my organization, or purchased with the funds that are available as well.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS or Mormon) church has also helped a great deal as well, through their Humanitarian Missionary program and the grants that are available to them. They have set up a relationship with this office in Santo Domingo to help cover expenses of making these limbs and for the professional services that these prosthetists provide to the amputees in the Dom Rep. The reason that I chose this country to help and to spend my time and energy is because that is where I also served an LDS mission back in 1984-1986. I was not an amputee at that time, but have vivid memories of seeing many amputees in the streets on crutches, or people of all ages missing hands and arms. I had never been in such an environment like this before, and it was shocking for me to see this when I was 20 years old. After I had a BK amputation at the age of 33, and then going into prosthetics a couple years later, and opening my own facility after that, I decided that I needed to do something more and to use my energy to also help some people who are in real need of this. I still have a great love for this island, country and the people there.
I know also that my work and efforts there are not doing damage, like puting some other prosthetist or company out of business because of me doing this free work there. In fact, this is enhancing the O&P work in this country. There are other offices in the DR that do O&P, and there is more than enough work for everyone to do there. I wanted to make SURE that my good intentions and efforts there were not hurting anyone or any company or business there before I really took off with this.
Of course we all know of the struggles of Haiti and the conditions there, and much work is being done there to aid these people who are also in great need. I am happy to report that there are 8 children that will be receiving new limbs in this coming week, and will be getting therapy to use their prostheses. This is all due to a combination of efforts of many people and organizations. The home where these children live now is staffed by the Catholic church, and with wonderful nuns that care for these children. There is a wonderful citizen there, Columbian by birth, who resides in Santo Domingo who has kind of adopted these children and tends to their needs and watches out for them. Her husband is a prominent businessman there, and have really great connections with people there with financial resources to keep these children fed, clothed, and loved. Her own children are also supportive and help care for these children too. There are about 35 children in this home, 8 of whom are amputees. They are not orphans, but in need of some major medical care, which they have all gotten. The LDS church has also been involved, donating wheelchairs, crutches, and other devices for these children. I learned about this home last week when I was there, and was invited to spend a day with them to visit them, meet them all, and play with them. They have all picked up Spanish now, after spending over 4 months there now, which makes communication there easy since I also speak Spanish.
The work is going great there, and moving along. I want to thank everyone on here that has donated components to this project, there are so many to thank, and I know I will forget someone if I begin to mention names.
If anyone is thinking of doing work like this, please let me know, and I can possibly help direct you or guide you on how to get involved and do something to help somewhere in the world. There are so many organizations out there that NEED help, and there are opportunities everywhere. It can be a scary process and all, but it is SO worth it, and so rewarding.
I am not posting this on here for a pat on my back or for any other kind of pride factor or arrogance or anything. I just want to share with everyone how things are going there, and the positive impact and all this project is having in this country. And, I also want to encourage others to do something like this if you have the option to do this. It is one of the best vacations that you can have, to go and actually work and do something like this. I really don't need any help or anything like that in the DR at this time, but there are other places that do need manpower (oops, or woman power to be politically correct....) We all have a gift and talent that is needed all over the world.
Thanks
Jim DeWees, CP
_________________________________________________________________
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We have made nearly 200 limbs now for free, or for minimal charges to the patients through the not-for-profit organization. Almost all of the components that have been used have been donated to my office in Indiana, and then re-used in this country. We have had to purchase some of the components when I was unable to find a used one. Just before going on this last trip, I had asked for any hip disartic joints, and have several generous people on here contact me to offer their stock, and I am extremely appreciative to those that did donate parts to this project.
Also, a few companies donated socks and feet for this trip and in the past, and ALL of this stuff gets used for people who could never get a prosthesis any other way in this country.
There are several Haitian amputees that have been transported to Santo Domingo, who are also being seen at this office, and being fit with prosthetics this coming week from parts that have been donated to my organization, or purchased with the funds that are available as well.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS or Mormon) church has also helped a great deal as well, through their Humanitarian Missionary program and the grants that are available to them. They have set up a relationship with this office in Santo Domingo to help cover expenses of making these limbs and for the professional services that these prosthetists provide to the amputees in the Dom Rep. The reason that I chose this country to help and to spend my time and energy is because that is where I also served an LDS mission back in 1984-1986. I was not an amputee at that time, but have vivid memories of seeing many amputees in the streets on crutches, or people of all ages missing hands and arms. I had never been in such an environment like this before, and it was shocking for me to see this when I was 20 years old. After I had a BK amputation at the age of 33, and then going into prosthetics a couple years later, and opening my own facility after that, I decided that I needed to do something more and to use my energy to also help some people who are in real need of this. I still have a great love for this island, country and the people there.
I know also that my work and efforts there are not doing damage, like puting some other prosthetist or company out of business because of me doing this free work there. In fact, this is enhancing the O&P work in this country. There are other offices in the DR that do O&P, and there is more than enough work for everyone to do there. I wanted to make SURE that my good intentions and efforts there were not hurting anyone or any company or business there before I really took off with this.
Of course we all know of the struggles of Haiti and the conditions there, and much work is being done there to aid these people who are also in great need. I am happy to report that there are 8 children that will be receiving new limbs in this coming week, and will be getting therapy to use their prostheses. This is all due to a combination of efforts of many people and organizations. The home where these children live now is staffed by the Catholic church, and with wonderful nuns that care for these children. There is a wonderful citizen there, Columbian by birth, who resides in Santo Domingo who has kind of adopted these children and tends to their needs and watches out for them. Her husband is a prominent businessman there, and have really great connections with people there with financial resources to keep these children fed, clothed, and loved. Her own children are also supportive and help care for these children too. There are about 35 children in this home, 8 of whom are amputees. They are not orphans, but in need of some major medical care, which they have all gotten. The LDS church has also been involved, donating wheelchairs, crutches, and other devices for these children. I learned about this home last week when I was there, and was invited to spend a day with them to visit them, meet them all, and play with them. They have all picked up Spanish now, after spending over 4 months there now, which makes communication there easy since I also speak Spanish.
The work is going great there, and moving along. I want to thank everyone on here that has donated components to this project, there are so many to thank, and I know I will forget someone if I begin to mention names.
If anyone is thinking of doing work like this, please let me know, and I can possibly help direct you or guide you on how to get involved and do something to help somewhere in the world. There are so many organizations out there that NEED help, and there are opportunities everywhere. It can be a scary process and all, but it is SO worth it, and so rewarding.
I am not posting this on here for a pat on my back or for any other kind of pride factor or arrogance or anything. I just want to share with everyone how things are going there, and the positive impact and all this project is having in this country. And, I also want to encourage others to do something like this if you have the option to do this. It is one of the best vacations that you can have, to go and actually work and do something like this. I really don't need any help or anything like that in the DR at this time, but there are other places that do need manpower (oops, or woman power to be politically correct....) We all have a gift and talent that is needed all over the world.
Thanks
Jim DeWees, CP
_________________________________________________________________
Hotmail has tools for the New Busy. Search, chat and e-mail from your inbox.
<URL Redacted>
Citation
Jim DeWees, “Dominican Republic Update,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 24, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/231443.
