Several key factors come into play when selecting an appropriate prosthetic system in the developing world. Most of our patients live physically demanding lives in an environment that is rugged, hot, humid, and dirty. Things such as a gel liner just don’t work well in the developing world. An appropriate prosthesis needs to be simple, without a lot of moving parts that can easily break or get corroded and an appropriate prosthesis must also be extremely durable, especially the feet!

The current prosthetic system LifEnabled uses begins with a fiberglass cast that is used to create a plaster mold. This mold is used to make custom modifications per the patients specific shape and size. After modification of the mold, a heated, co-polymer plastic is wrapped around it to create the patients lightweight socket. Last, a durable, aluminum pylon is attached, along with an axis bearing self locking knee joint (if needed) and a Niagra foot. This combination is versatile enough to work for all patients, above-the-knee, below-the-knee, adults and pediatrics and has proven to withstand the demands of life in the developing world.

We are beginning to incorporate 3D printing into our prosthetic process through the use of our App DigiScan 3D, while also developing an adjustable socket specifically designed for simplicity in the developing world. Plus we are working on a prototype for a new knee that will provide increased stability for patients. Our end goal is to generate a full prosthetic system that is durable, cost-effective and third-world compatible.

One of the key factors we realized from the beginning is that affordability is crucial. Many patients in Guatemala and other parts of the developing world live on just a few dollars a day. Affording a prosthesis is simply unattainable. We provide our prostheses at no cost to the patients, which means we rely heavily on our generous partners and donors. In order to reach as many patients as possible, we designed a system that includes appropriate technology for the developing world at a price that allows our services to remain sustainable. In the U.S. a prosthesis can cost anywhere from $5k to $100k, but for our current system we are able to provide a below-the-knee prosthesis for only $150 and an above-the-knee prosthesis for only $300. Plus, as we begin to incorporate 3D printing, adjustable sockets, and our own knee design we will be able to bring the costs down even more!

Both in the U.S. and overseas all prosthetic patients need adjustments and/or repairs at some point. Accidents happen and residual limbs shrink and expand for various reasons; it’s an expected part of being an amputee. Thankfully, our prosthetic system lends itself to fewer repairs than others. For our Guatemala patients, since our lab is at Hospital Shalom, there are a handful of missionaries who live and work permanently at that location and have had some technical training with us during previous clinics. We leave extra parts and components at the lab for any emergency repairs that cannot wait until our next clinic. Otherwise, patients sign up for follow-up care as needed during upcoming clinics. Moving forward, our goal is to build partnerships with other organizations around the world to enable them to provide on-going prosthetic care for the regions they serve.

Within the next 1-2 years, our goal is to offer CE accredited prosthetic based 3D printing courses. We are also working towards developing a training module to enable other organizations to gain the skills and knowledge needed to provide prosthetics in the regions where they serve. In the end, our goal is to be able to offer the necessary training combined with the ideal components (3D, co-polymer and/or adjustable sockets, stability knee, Niagara feet etc.) in order to equip others to make affordable prosthetic care available to all amputees around the world.

We are also currently improving technology with the DigiScan App to equip other practitioners in the field.

Lastly, we always have a need for some helping hands during each clinic in Guatemala. If you are interested in seeing what we do first hand and coming along to help we can train you on whatever skills you need as we go. Please contact us if you are interested. We would love to have you join us.

Try to imagine some of these very real scenarios:

• You live on $2-$3 dollars a day, affording a prosthesis is simply unimaginable. You are simply trying to survive.
• You live in a remote village and there is zero access to medial care, much less prosthetic care
• You have a family who needs to eat but without mobility you are unable to work and provide
• Your parents work in the fields all day but you are home alone with no hope for a future because you are unable to attend school
• You have a loved one who is an amputee that you are desperately trying to care for, but meeting their daily needs, plus your own, plus the rest of your family, you are exhausted, desperate and in need of relief.
• You used to have mobility but after a terrible tragedy, now you are coping with feelings of overwhelming hopelessness, feelings of being incomplete or worthless
• You were born without a limb and your village feels you have been cursed. You live in daily fear of abuse because of a birth defect you cannot control.
• ….the list goes on

For all of these scenarios and more, 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 work, to provide for their families, to attend school and more. The load placed on their caretakers is lessened and their entire outlook on life changes — for the better! So many patients have told us through their tears of joy, “I never thought I would have the chance to walk again.” Providing a patient with a prosthesis is the first step towards hope and it allows us the ultimate opportunity to then share the true source of eternal hope offered through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

We confidently believe #HopeBegins with a prosthesis.