How It All Began?
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.