About Us

 

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Our Care Model

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Our History

In 2006, Brent Wright, Certified Prosthetist and Board Certified Orthotist, was invited by Tim and Doris Spurrier, founders of Hospital Shalom in San Benito, Guatemala, to launch the hospital’s prosthetic program with a free prosthetic clinic. The first clinic began in a cinderblock room, with no electricity, and a handful of used, donated limbs and components. It didn’t take long for Brent to realize this method was not ideal or sustainable. As he returned to the States, he quickly began to research other alternatives. Through some trial and error, Brent, along with Frank Hodges (owner of SunStone Lab, central fabrication facility) designed an improved prosthetic system, making it affordable to provide a brand new, customized limb to each patient.

Over the years, various friends, family members and co-workers came alongside to help with the clinics. By 2014 it was clear that the growth of the patient waiting list, along with rapidly developing technology in 3D printing, would mean it was time to officially organize our own nonprofit. LifeNabled, Inc. officially launched in October of 2015, 9 years after first beginning our work in Guatemala.

Since our official launch, we have taken great strides towards the future. We continue serving the Petén region of Guatemala through bi-annual clinics while also rapidly creating new prosthetic solutions involving 3D printing, adjustable socket designs, stability knee development, and eventually online and/or in-person training options for other practitioners and organizations.

 

What We Do

Enable

We enable mobility by utilizing innovative engineering, 3D printing, and cutting-edge prosthetic design.

TRAIN

We train others in effective prosthetic care for the developing world as well as in digital design and 3D printing techniques.

SERVE

We serve residents in the Petén region of Guatemala by providing free, bi-annual prosthetic clinics at Hospital Shalom in San Benito.

#HopeBegins With a Prosthesis

For an amputee in the developing world, the opportunity to begin a new chapter of hope truly begins with a prosthesis. Once a patient is able to gain mobility, their self-worth increases and they now have the ability to work, provide for their families, attend school, and be a part of their community. Providing a patient with a prosthesis is the first step towards hope, and it allows us the ultimate opportunity to share the true source of eternal hope offered through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

OUR VOLUNTEERS TRULY MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Leadership

Meredith Wright

Meredith Wright

Executive Director/Board President

Meredith graduated from Appalachian State University with a B.S. in Applied Public & Interpersonal Communication. Additionally, she is a busy mother of three children and a  NC licensed real estate agent and the social media manager for EastPoint P&O in Kinston, NC. Presently, Meredith oversees the day-to-day operations of LifeNabled including the coordination of the bi-annual outreach clinics in Guatemala. 
Meredith Wright

W. Brent Wright

Vice President, Prosthetist/Orthotist

Brent is an ABC certified Prosthetist and BOC certified Orthotist constantly innovating in 3D printing processes and digital design. He frequently serves on professional advisory panels, presents at national/regional conferences, and  consults with prosthetic clinicians / manufactuers on digital workflows. His love of providing prosthetic care to persons in the developing world extends through his family who often attend outreach clinics with him.  
Meredith Wright

Michelle Keller

Communications Director

Michelle brings extensive experience in recruiting and market research and has worked with numerous non-profit organizations and in government, including the State of California and the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada. She studied Communications / Public Relations at the University of South Carolina. Michelle and her husband also enjoyed the opportunity to live throughout North America before settling down in Raleigh, NC to start a family.
Meredith Wright

Marlon Hernandez

Prosthetic / Orthotic Assistant

Marlon resides in Guatemala full-time to enable ongoing support for the patients treated during outreach clinics.  He has been an integral part of nearly every outreach clinic since 2014. With a background in construction and a variety of other trades, it has been a natural transition for him to transfer his knowledge and skills into the fabrication of prosthetic devices. In 2020, Marlon underwent additional prosthetic technician training to support the outreach clinic team while in the country and between trips.
Ethical Patient Care

We Provide Care in Alignment with the US-ISPO Code of Conduct for Humantarian Organizations 

LifeNabled recognizes that the people served by our organization need far more than just a prosthesis or other device to achieve their goals.  We provide prosthetic clinical services to all patients regardless of their race, sex, gender, political affiliation, or religion.  Respecting and supporting the local community values and beliefs is central to our organizational objectives.  Although we integrate technology-based solutions such as 3D printing, we select materials and hardware that are able to be supported locally and are already commonplace in other local industries.  Furthermore, we have partnered with the well-established Hospital Shalom to enable ongoing interprofessional care as we recognize that patient’s with amputations and their family require more than just a device.

View the US-ISPO Code of Conduct for Humanitarian Organizations