Vinesh and Joel of California with Luz Virginia and Luis
It is already May and we are preparing for another trip back to the clinic for the months of June and July. Our trip in March was short but very fruitful. Re:Motion Designs (Palo Alto, CA) joined us at the clinic to field test their Jaipur knee (www.remotiondesigns.org) with its new pyramid (alignment adjustment) adaptor. Working with them we were able to successfully fit five above knee amputees. In doing so, we learned a lot about this relatively new potentially low-cost knee unit and how it may have a place in our clinic in the future. In return, our clinicians provided some feedback to the engineers on potential design changes that could be considered for future models. We also had a good time working with one another. (Thanks for coming down, Joel and Vin!)
The June/July trip is shaping-up well. We have plans to fit another iTal Below-elbow prosthesis and to follow-up with the amputees we fit in March.
Jen Lee adjusts the ITAL arm
So far we will be hosting an intern from the U.S. who will be learning prosthetic and orthotic skills and then returning to the States to enter a Prosthetic/Orthotic University program in the fall. Also, our Director, Luis Gutierrez, has secured a much needed grant allowing us to purchase some supplies and ensuring that we can continue to help as many patients as possible.
Finally, our Director of Communications, Kit Frank, will be leading Adaptive Design (for seating and positioning equipment for the disabled) in a few Ecuadoran cities in July. A church group will be traveling with her and assisting.
We hope that you all are in good health and that you will all be able to help assist with these and other projects to come, either through donations or volunteering.
–Bob Frank, CPO
