Organization donates money for prosthetics in Haiti

Organization donates money for prosthetics in Haiti

Doctors in Haiti are reporting that nearly 70 people a day are becoming amputees. Now there's worry that there won't be anyone to care for these patients once all the rescue teams leave. George Bruner's leg was amputated below the knee last year, after antibiotics couldn't control an infection in his foot. "I ended up becoming an amputee as a result of complications with diabetes," Bruner said. "For me the most disturbing aspect was the thought of regaining my independence." To his surprise, a prosthetic has helped give Bruner a normal life. But it was a long road, requiring months of physical therapy and fittings to make sure the artificial limb fit properly. "It took probably two to three months before I was walking with some confidence," said Bruner. As Bruner reflects on his own struggle with being an amputee, hundreds, if not thousands, of Haitians are losing limbs, the result of crush injuries and infections. Hannah Osborn works with artificial limb patients at Hanger Orthopedics Group. She says having a limb amputated is a long process, requiring months of care to make sure there aren't infections and the prosthetics fit. She worries there won't be enough people caring for the Haitian amputees. "There's a lot of follow up appointments, adjustments that can be made afterwards. It's very important to keep the care there, so the patient can ambulate as best they can, as efficient as they can," Osborn said. Hanger's chairman Ivan Sabel announced the group is donating $250,000 to two different organizations, Physicians For Peace and Project Hope. These groups will help care for Haiti's amputees. "I've heard reports on TV that they're using fence posts. They're using tree limbs, anything they can get their hands on to stabilize crushed limbs," Sabel said. Sabel says they hope to give more money in the future, even sending their own team to Haiti to help with rehabilitation.