Several key factors come into play when selecting an appropriate prosthetic system for the developing world. Most of our patients live physically demanding lives in an environment that is rugged, hot, humid, and dirty. Items such as a gel liner, that is commonly used with U.S. prosthetic devices, simply does not work well in this environment, and in some cases can lead to further skin conditions and infection. An appropriate prosthesis needs to be simple, without a lot of moving parts that can easily break or become corroded. Additionally, an appropriate prosthesis must also be extremely durable, especially the feet!

LifeNabled currently utilizes two kinds of sockets. Our traditional sockets are made of co-polymer plastic and our 3D sockets are printed with Multi-Jet Fusion PA12 or PETG for our FDM machines. To complete the prostheses, we use aluminum pylons, a handful of knee options depending on the patients needs, and a very durable 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.

Affordability is critical. Many patients in Guatemala, and other parts of the developing world, live on just a few dollars a day. Purchasing 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 must keep our material costs low in order to remain sustainable. For reference, in the U.S., a prosthesis may cost anywhere from $5k to $100k. However, our material costs are only $150 for a below-the-knee prosthesis and $300 for an above-the-knee prosthesis. In some cases, incorporating 3D printing can bring those costs even lower.

Naturally, 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 minimal repairs and our sock-ply system helps patients self manage typical limb changes. Additionally, our partnership with Hospital Shalom means there is typically someone available who has undergone basic technical training during previous clinics. We leave extra parts and components for any emergency repairs that cannot wait until our next clinic. Otherwise, patients sign up for follow-up and repair appointments, as needed, during upcoming clinics.

Eventually, we would love to offer CE accredited, prosthetic based, 3D printing courses as well as training modules for other organizations to utilize. Our goal is to offer the necessary training, combined with the ideal component recommendations, in order to equip others to make affordable prosthetic care available to all amputees around the world.

We also offer the DigiScan App as a tool to equip other practitioners in the field.

If you are interested in seeing what we do first hand, contact us about coming to an upcoming clinic for training.

Try to imagine some of these very real scenarios:

• You make $3 dollars a day. You can barely feed your family their next meal.
• You live in a remote village and there is zero access to medial care, much less prosthetic care.
• Your family is hungry but since losing your mobility, you are no longer able to work and provide.
• You’re a child whose parents work in the fields from sun up to sun down. 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 share the true source of eternal hope offered through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

We confidently believe #HopeBegins with a prosthesis.