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freedom to walk "For a long time I could not go to school. But now that I have been given an artificial limb, I have got another chance in life," says Thilakaratne, smiling. He is happy that he can once more do some of the things other children of his age would do. Bend your knees, jump and run… These may seem easy for us. But what of someone who has suddenly lost a limb. Would they be condemned to a life of dependence, cherishing memories of earlier days? Or can we help them become independent and self-reliant citizens who have a sense of self-worth? "Losing a limb is a very terrifying experience," says G.S.N. Peiris, treasurer of the Centre for Handicapped, formerly the Jaipur Foot Programme, Kandy Branch at Kundasale. The centre provides artificial limbs to a large number of underprivileged individuals from various parts of the country free of charge. "It is made possible by generous people and organizations that come forth with donations," says Mr. Peiris adding that so far, over 4000 people have come into the centre with one foot or none at all and walked off cheerfully with a new artificial limb. The centre which operated in a small rented room 20 years ago, has now a building with various quarters for workshops, measurement rooms and training areas. The work of the centre is aided by NORAD and USAID (the aid arm of the U.S. government) and Motivation and other local charitable individuals and organizations. Over the years, most of the foot aids made for recipients at the centre were the Jaipur Foot, an artificial limb designed in India. "Jaipur is famous in strife-torn areas and has revolutionized the life of land-mine amputees for many years," explains Vinod Krishnan Sreemathy, Prosthetist Orthotist of the centre. The Jaipur footwear, he explained, is fabricated with aluminium, cloth and wood, made to look like an actual foot and is also quite functional. However Mr. Krishnan adds; "Studies have shown the traditional Jaipur foot can create problems like pressure sores. Now new sophisticated footwear has been invented which is lighter in weight, easier to work with and more durable." He revealed that usually an artificial limb could cost around Rs. 12,500-17,500 which would be beyond the means of an underprivileged person. This centre is perhaps the only place which provides foot aid for free. Though the centre initially served mainly as a place where limbs were fitted on, over the years it has evolved into a organisation that supports the disabled. Extending their service to a further level, they also train the patient in the use of the newly fitted foot aid. In the many gait training areas both inside and outside the premises, the recipients are given various tasks to complete in order to make them comfortable with their newly fitted limb. "We give them a chance to get used to the obstacles we come across in daily life, such as steps, pavements, bridges, slopes and hills," says Mr. Krishnan adding that in two weeks they are able to manage comfortably. The centre has physio- therapists who are in charge of such training. The centre looks into the welfare of the patients. "Some of our patients are so poor that we need to help them with the bus fare," says Mr. Krishnan. The centre is also planning to start a patient data system which would maintain records of the recipients and other research. The workshop where the artificial limbs are made is equipped with machinery and equipment granted by NORAD and USAID. "Each artificial limb should be tailor made, depending on the recipient's range of motion," says Mr. Krishnan. Each artificial limb is patient specific mainly on three counts; stump size and shape, patient height (this decides the length of tubular structure)- and the foot size. Thus the socket to accommodate the amputed stump has to be tailor made. Having ample knowledge on the anatomy of the human foot in India, Vinod Krishnan develops artificial limbs that look like a natural foot; sturdy, durable, waterproof and made of locally available material. The foot with composite keel embedded in a polypropylene socket to accommodate the amputee stump permits walking, cycling and even driving a vehicle. The most sophisticated can even be adjusted for angular alignment of the limb."It depends a lot on the lifestyle of the recipient. If it's a farmer who is in contact with water and mud, a limb with waterproof material would be made for him." According to Mr. Krishnan most of those who receive artificial limbs have met with road accidents. Others have congenital defects or have suffered wrong diagnosis of diseases, bone deformities and constricted bone growth. Twelve-year-old K.M Erfan from Anuradhapura was travelling to school in a three wheeler with his uncle when his water bottle rolled off. Without thinking he leaped out to get it and was knocked down by a bus. "When I awoke, I found myself warded at the Anuradhapura Hospital and in severe pain. I felt my right leg missing. My mother was standing near my bed. When I asked my mother what had happened to my leg, she kept on crying," he recalls. For
several months Erfan could not go to school. Coming from a lower-middle
class family his parents could not afford the cost of a limb. The
centre then found two generous Sri Lankan children in Hong Kong
who donated money they had saved out of their "pocket money"
to provide artificial limbs to children who could not afford them.
"I now once again walk to school just like all the other children.
The boys in my class and my teacher like me a lot," says Erfan "My story did not stop there, because I contacted the centre and received an artificial limb. Now it's much easier to move around, without crutches, " he says. He continues life as a farmer. Having lost both his limbs in a terrible train accident, Jayasena (name changed on request) aged 54, related how for seven years he was helpless, unable to afford an artificial limb. Incapable of providing for his family, he had felt alone and without hope. "I have a new pair of limbs now," he smiles confidently. There are many who, if provided with an artificial limb could lead near normal lives. Those who want to "lend a hand", could contact The Centre for Handicapped at No.228, Digana Road, Kundasale - Phone 081 2420721, Fax 081 2421930, Email - jaipur@sltnet.lk |
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