Ibarra Ecuador August 2010 update
Robert Frank C.P.O.
Description
Collection
Title:
Ibarra Ecuador August 2010 update
Creator:
Robert Frank C.P.O.
Date:
9/8/2010
Text:
We dedicate this update letter to Jessica Gaby, who lost her battle with
bone cancer last week at age 15. We fit her with an AK prosthesis in
February, thanks to the generous donations of many of you, and she was
able to walk for the last six months of her life. Her mom brought her
prosthesis to the clinic so that we will be able to help others.
see Jessica Gaby with her mom outside the workshop:
<URL Redacted>
We are into the second week of the ten week prosthetics course in
collaboration with Universidad Tecnica del Norte. We have four students
who have a background in physical therapy and who seem very bright,
knowledgeable, and capable. Meanwhile with our volunteers from the US and
with our regular crew here we are also continuing to take care of the
patients who come in. see Bob teaching the students:
<URL Redacted>
The students are very serious, eager to learn, and not afraid to jump in
and get their hands dirty. Already they have been exposed to very complex
cases that we rarely see inthe US. In the first week we have seen a
trilateral amputee, two lower limb bilateral amputees, a hip
disarticulation with above knee amputation on the other side, and
bilateral upper limb amputee. see Lourdes
walking with a crutch: <URL Redacted>
A 11 year old bilateral AK with very short limbs was fit like a bilateral hip
disartic with stubbies. She immediately learned to put on the prosthesis
independently from her wheelchair. Modification will take place weekly.
see Bob casting Melany and Melany in prosthesis with her family:
http://www.oandp-l.org/shared/qrlaf.jpg
http://www.oandp-l.org/shared/glejh.jpg
These are the typical challenges that an Ecuadoran prosthetist is faced
with. The cases are very complicated but because the patients are mostly
young and in good health, they become very good prosthetic users.
So far two American professionals have been here to help with the course:
Trace Klein, CP from Las Vegas and Zack Simmons, Prosthetic Technician
from Goshen NY. Trace has vast experience and is creative with finding
a solution for every type of situation, both upper and lower limb. see
Trace working with Anita's hip disartic and AK:
http://www.oandp-l.org/shared/wzkgc.jpg
Zack has jumped right in and skillfully demonstrated the methods the
students need to use for fabrication. see Zack demonstrating test socket
fabrication:
http://www.oandp-l.org/shared/yrrhk.jpg
This course could not be what it is without their assistance and
generosity. We are looking forward to having several more volunteers,
both Americans and Ecuadorans, to help us and to teach other aspects of
prosthetics.
Thank you again:
ALPS Corporation
The Barr Foundation
Bull Dog Tools
Euro International
Hanger Prosthetics and Orthotics
Knit Rite Corporation
A Leg to Stand on Foundation
Limbs for Life Foundation
Mountains of Hope Foundation
Ohio Willowood
O and P Component Clearinghouse
Prosthetic Outreach Foundation
Rotary Clubs of Concord, CA, Trumansburg, NY, Whitney Point, NY
Southern Prosthetic Supply
Trulife
TRS
Trace Klein, CP
Zach Simmons, Prosthetic/Orthotic Technician
To make donations, volunteer for the project, or make inquiries please
contact
Robert Frank, CPO
<Email Address Redacted>
bone cancer last week at age 15. We fit her with an AK prosthesis in
February, thanks to the generous donations of many of you, and she was
able to walk for the last six months of her life. Her mom brought her
prosthesis to the clinic so that we will be able to help others.
see Jessica Gaby with her mom outside the workshop:
<URL Redacted>
We are into the second week of the ten week prosthetics course in
collaboration with Universidad Tecnica del Norte. We have four students
who have a background in physical therapy and who seem very bright,
knowledgeable, and capable. Meanwhile with our volunteers from the US and
with our regular crew here we are also continuing to take care of the
patients who come in. see Bob teaching the students:
<URL Redacted>
The students are very serious, eager to learn, and not afraid to jump in
and get their hands dirty. Already they have been exposed to very complex
cases that we rarely see inthe US. In the first week we have seen a
trilateral amputee, two lower limb bilateral amputees, a hip
disarticulation with above knee amputation on the other side, and
bilateral upper limb amputee. see Lourdes
walking with a crutch: <URL Redacted>
A 11 year old bilateral AK with very short limbs was fit like a bilateral hip
disartic with stubbies. She immediately learned to put on the prosthesis
independently from her wheelchair. Modification will take place weekly.
see Bob casting Melany and Melany in prosthesis with her family:
http://www.oandp-l.org/shared/qrlaf.jpg
http://www.oandp-l.org/shared/glejh.jpg
These are the typical challenges that an Ecuadoran prosthetist is faced
with. The cases are very complicated but because the patients are mostly
young and in good health, they become very good prosthetic users.
So far two American professionals have been here to help with the course:
Trace Klein, CP from Las Vegas and Zack Simmons, Prosthetic Technician
from Goshen NY. Trace has vast experience and is creative with finding
a solution for every type of situation, both upper and lower limb. see
Trace working with Anita's hip disartic and AK:
http://www.oandp-l.org/shared/wzkgc.jpg
Zack has jumped right in and skillfully demonstrated the methods the
students need to use for fabrication. see Zack demonstrating test socket
fabrication:
http://www.oandp-l.org/shared/yrrhk.jpg
This course could not be what it is without their assistance and
generosity. We are looking forward to having several more volunteers,
both Americans and Ecuadorans, to help us and to teach other aspects of
prosthetics.
Thank you again:
ALPS Corporation
The Barr Foundation
Bull Dog Tools
Euro International
Hanger Prosthetics and Orthotics
Knit Rite Corporation
A Leg to Stand on Foundation
Limbs for Life Foundation
Mountains of Hope Foundation
Ohio Willowood
O and P Component Clearinghouse
Prosthetic Outreach Foundation
Rotary Clubs of Concord, CA, Trumansburg, NY, Whitney Point, NY
Southern Prosthetic Supply
Trulife
TRS
Trace Klein, CP
Zach Simmons, Prosthetic/Orthotic Technician
To make donations, volunteer for the project, or make inquiries please
contact
Robert Frank, CPO
<Email Address Redacted>
Citation
Robert Frank C.P.O., “Ibarra Ecuador August 2010 update,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 24, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/231783.
