|
For the first time, the Northwest Chapter of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (NWAAOP) has offered to sponsor two experienced P&O professionals to help improve clinical skills of P&O practitioners in developing countries. The program will be operated by POF.
The partnership was born at the annual NWAAOP meeting on May 1 where POF’s Executive Director Winfried Danke was giving a presentation on the Prosthetic Outreach Foundation’s work and how the members of NWAAOP could help POF restore mobility to people who need a prosthetic limb.
“Speaking at the NWAAOP’s annual meeting was a great opportunity to spread the word about what we are trying to do and connecting to Orthotists and Prosthetists in the Northwestern part of the US”, says Winfried Danke.
The members of NWAAOP are excited about the donation, according to the President of the NWAAOP, Daniel Abrahamson.
“The chapter members are excited to be able to make this contribution to the field and are proud that we can help fellow clinicians in developing nations build their clinical skills. It would be nice if the clinicians who are involved can present on their work at the next chapter meeting, sharing their experience with the membership”, says Daniel Abrahamson.
NWAAOP’s $8000 donation will pay for two of their members training local practitioners for ten to fourteen days in a clinic in one of the three countries where POF operates. So far, at least three clinicians from the NWAAOP have voiced an interest in volunteering to be part of this skill-building mission.
The President of the NWAAOP, Daniel Abrahamson explains why the NWAAOP decided to make the donation:
“This year, we were in a good situation to make several sizable donations. Mr. Danke gave a wonderful presentation describing POF's work, which I believe was an important factor in generating NW Chapter support for POF. He provided us with a nice written proposal detailing how the requested funds would be used. Mr. Pye also attended our business meeting and was able to speak to questions regarding the proposal from the membership. The proposal fits nicely with the NW Chapter's objectives to both improve services to the public and to improve the general welfare of the profession by facilitating practitioner education in Sierra Leone or Bangladesh.”
Currently the need for the NWAAOP volunteers is greatest in Sierra Leone, according to the POF Executive Director.
“The practitioners there are category 2 trained in Tanzania, but they can still benefit from additional training. We hope the two volunteers from NWAAOP will pass on their own personalized methods and tricks of the trade to the local practitioners”, says Winfried Danke.
In Vietnam, below the knee prosthetic legs constitute four out of five prosthetics needed. However, the need for arm prosthetics and prosthetics above the knee is dominant in Sierra Leone, largely due to forced amputations during a brutal civil war. The prosthetics are produced locally, often by former patients at a POF clinic.
“Making prosthetics is art more than science”, says Director of Programs Raymond Pye, “A small feature can make all the difference. It is learning by doing, and that experience can be difficult to pass on.”
Until now, a broad range of volunteers, from physical therapists to surgeons and P&O professionals, have contributed with their knowledge at POF’s clinics overseas.
“These volunteers have helped as individuals and paid for the trip out of their own pocket. This time we hope to start a more formal partnership”, concludes Mr. Danke.
|
