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.

As a result of the tragic earthquake in Haiti, many people lost limbs, and there is a tremendous and immediate need for prosthetic limbs as well as prosthetists to fit limbs.  We have heard from several people asking about limb donations.  The St. Vincent’s School for children with disabilities is in need of child sized prosthetic limbs, and there are other orphanages caring for wounded children in the aftermath of the earthquake.  If you know of someone with the ability to help, or if you have contact with other groups in Haiti looking for prosthetics, please respond to this blog.  Perhaps we can facilitate the direction of funds or aid efforts in this cause.

Sean Cumings

The Given Limb Foundation is pleased to announce the Sean Michael Cumings Camp Scholarship.  The scholarship will enable two children to attend the Paddy Rossbach Youth Camp run by the Amputee Coalition of America during the summer of 2010.

Sean Cumings was an amazing young man from Westbrook, CT, who lost his life last year at the age of 24.  Sean lived his short life as a reflection of who he was: genuine, friendly, funny, and full of love. One warm handshake from Sean with his beautiful smile and you knew you met a new friend.  Sean was passionate about his workouts and his chiseled body was like a work of art.  Sean also loved to fish with his brother Alex and his Uncle Brian, do silly impressions and joke with his best friend Mat, laugh and love with his girlfriend Abbey, bug his Dad to use his car, hug and tease his Mom, and play with his do, Shay. His brother, Alex, will always look up to his big brother Sean. Sean was a student at Southern Connecticut State University completing his last year in sociology and criminal justice.  Sean also leaves behind a lifetime of friends too numerous to mention, because everyone Sean met became his friend.  Sean’s parents, Laura and Peter, noted Sean’s love of children in asking Given Limb to find a fitting tribute for donations made in Sean’s name.

Camper at ACA's Paddy Rossbach Camp for children with limb difference, photo courtesy of ACA

The Paddy Rossbach Youth Camp fit the goal perfectly in that it offers a traditional camp experience to children ages 10-17 who have lost arms or legs or were born with limb difference.  Since its beginning in 2000, the camp has hosted more than 450 campers from 42 states and three countries.  Attendance at the camp is made possible without cost to the campers and many of the counselors are former campers who volunteer their time.

We extend our thanks to Sean’s many family and friends for making these scholarships possible. Their loss will be transformed into lifetime gains for many children whose confidence and abilities will be expanded by the camp experience.

Anyone interested in making a donation to the fund may do so by clicking here to be directed to the “Donate” page, and by specifying that the contribution is for the Sean Cumings Memorial Scholarship.