The New York Times reports that anywhere between 2000-8000 people have lost limbs as a result of the tragic earthquake in Haiti.  And many more who have complicated fractures could be facing amputations in their injuries do not heal properly.  Right now, with limited resources and no prosthetics factories in Haiti, new amputees are being discharged, once their wounds have healed, and sent home without prosthetics, wheelchairs, crutches or other devices to help them cope with day-to-day life. 

Handicap International, a French organization, along with CBM, a Germany-based Christian disability group and the Haitian government, has been coordinating the postdisaster rehabilitation effort with about five dozen therapists, nurses, technicians and community workers.  They have been providing postsurgical care and physical therapy at 12 hospitals, and is in the process of  setting up a prosthetics workshop.

For the complet NYTimes article, click here.

We have received numerous inquiries from people who have prosthetic limbs that are no longer being used and would like to donate them to someone who can use them.  We have been referring everyone to the Amputee Coalition of America website, where they have a list of agencies that will accept those donations.  (See the previous post ”Donations of Prosthetic Limbs”  for a link to the ACA webpage.)  However, recently we have been in touch with PIPO Missions in Savannah, Ga., another foundation which resuses donated prosthetic limbs and braces to help the indigent in Mexico.  Founded by David Puckett, a licensed prosthetist who was featured on CNN’s ”Heroes” program, PIPO’s mission is to “reach out to southeastern Mexico’s indigent, physically disabled citizens who are in specific need of orthotic and/or prosthetic care, but are unable to afford services, through the provision of orthopedic braces and artificial limbs along with corrective surgery whenever possible.”  David Puckett visits towns and villages in southeastern Mexico several times each year providing free medical care to patients with orthopedic needs, fitting them with the prosthetic limbs and braces that have been donated to PIPO.  For more information about PIPO, click here.

PIPO has been able to assist approximately 150  people each year, and they welcome the donation of prosthetic limbs and devices.  Donations may be shipped to the following address:

PIPO Missions

5202 Waters Avenue

Savannah, GA  31404

Include your name, address, and description of the donated limb and they will send you a thank-you letter for your records.

The Given Limb Foundation welcomes other suggestions of  agencies that accept these donations!  Our recent post titled “Haiti needs Prosthetic Limbs” received some suggestions of where to send limb donations as well–see the comments attached to that post for more information.