In 2021 we initiated a wheelchair provision program, starting with an online course in wheelchair provision in November 2020 and progressing to a distribution of 100 wheelchairs in spring of 2021. We worked with CLASP, a USAID program that makes quality wheelchairs available in a variety of models so that each person can receive the… continue reading

Logistical assistance for an emergency food program in conjunction with Prem Rowat Foundation began in April.  Beginning with the delivery of 30 food baskets, the program quickly expanded to covering hundreds of families in the province of Imbabura, and included volunteer youth packing food, assistance of the provincial government, and deliveries by the military. Focus… continue reading

Bob and Kit have founded an NGO legalized in the United States, called Independence Road.  Independence Road has the goal of  improving access to needed rehab services in developing countries.  This is the work we have been doing over the past twelve years and now it’s official – we can receive and disburse grants and… continue reading

Fundación Jen Lee is sponsoring the purchase of sport wheelchairs for the Ibarra basketball team Ruedas sin Fronteras (Wheels Without Borders).  With these certified sports wheelchairs from DDO Canada, Ruedas Sin Fronteras will finally be able to complete on a national an international level.    https://app/public.youtube.com/watch?v=KuERjc3N75w Major donors are Live Boundless of the USA, Crecer… continue reading

The second floor of the workshop is complete and fully functional.  We moved into the new space in January 2019 and now enjoy large workshops and storage space upstairs and additional patient treatment rooms and a “clean” workshop on the ground floor.  The noisy and dusty work takes place upstairs away from treatment areas.  And… continue reading

Together, with our supporters, the team at Prótesis Imbabura: bought a new building in March, completed it in April, relocated in May, developed a building plan and took bids in July, began second floor construction in August, and are on the cusp of completion in October. Construction in Ibarra is very different than in the… continue reading

Protesis Imbabura needs to  relocate to improved quarters.  Collaborating with Fundación Jen Lee, we are building a center for rehabilitation services and learning in Ibarra, Ecuador. The Kiwanis Club of Ibarra generously welcomed us to their building one and a half years ago, and we have outgrown the space.  Our new quarters will have ample room… continue reading

Hugo, Javier and Mikel demonstrate daily life with bilateral upper limb prostheses in this video produced by volunteer Jacquelyn Reyes, OTS from Ithaca College, August 2017

We have had a challenging year, after INFA was dissolved and with it, our major funding.  We have struggled to keep the clinic open full-time; currently we have developed a financial plan for doing so.  We have a new, leaner staff, new energy, and lots of ideas for sustainability that we will follow up on… continue reading

2013 has seen a tremendous amount of activity in the provision of adaptive equipment.  In September 2012 we received a grant to construct an adaptive equipment workshop.  Utilizing techniques learned from Adaptive Design Association of NY City, we make seats, trays, standing tables, and wheelchair adaptations, primarily using recycled materials, mainly corrugated cardboard. We have… continue reading