Artificial Limb Technician
'Interesting People at Work', Photo No. 3. Initially we were shocked
when we walked into an old WWII army barracks in Fiji that was
temporarily converted into a makeshift medical center. We saw a long
hallway filled with people who were missing legs, sitting in
wheelchairs, and lined up against the wall. We soon learned, however,
that an organization from India had developed a way to create artificial
limbs quickly and inexpensively and a group from this organization was traveling
to less developed countries to teach local doctors and medical workers
this process. (Many people in the countries they teach, lose limbs
because of untreated diabetes.) This group has received world
recognition for their accomplishments. During our visit we watched a
patient be measured for a prosthetic leg, wait while it was made,
receive instruction after it was attached, then walk without assistance,
all in the same day! The conditions in which they worked were less
than adequate if compared to many other medical facilities, but the
results were amazing! Here is one of the technicians creating
artificial legs.
Part of the medical team who was also a recipient of a leg demonstrating its flexibility and versitility.
Technician describing the process.
Patient walking on his new leg for the first time.
Specialized oven donated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
