Welcome to the

I recently spent 2 weeks in the Dominican Republic and started a nonprofit organization, “Prosthetic Limbs for the Dominican Republic.” I lived in the Dominican Republic from 1984-1986 working as a missionary. I was always shocked at the number of amputees in the country and that none of them had artificial limbs. That was before I knew anything about prosthetics, before I had my accident and became an amputee and a prosthetist. After reading a few articles about other prosthetists traveling to developing nations and providing prostheses to amputees there, I decided that is something that I need to do. I made arrangements to travel to Santo Domingo and see what the possibilities were like there.

The Dominican Republic is on the island of Hispaniola, 2/3 of the island is the DR and the other 1/3 is Haiti. Spanish is the main language for the Dominicans, which have a heritage from Spain, Africa, and other countries. The people are very friendly and treat visitors very well. Fortunately I speak Spanish fluently, which is something that I picked up while living there as a missionary.

My first day there, I met two men that have an Orthotic/Prosthetic office in Santo Domingo who were very excited to help me with this project. They offered the use of their office and materials to see patients there, cast them, make check sockets, etc. They also provided me with a list of several hundred amputees that have been to their office inquiring about a prosthesis but could not afford one. We called 4 patients to come in, and they all showed up early to wait to be seen. I also met several amputees out in the community, at the beach, in the shopping districts, etc.

I traveled to a few remote towns, areas where I lived about 20 years ago. In each of these towns, the people were amazed at how I was able to walk with no problems with a prosthesis. The people there are very direct and honest there–painfully honest at times. It was common for people to say without any hesitation, “What’s up with that leg? Was it an accident or were you born that way?”, etc. That would start a conversation, and they all knew others in the towns with amputations. They would take me to the homes of amputees to meet them and talk to them. In one small, remote city, San Juan de la Maguana, I met 3 young amputees and visited with their families in less than 2 hours. I am sure there were more there, but did not have the time to meet them all.

The economy in the DR is very poor right now, the exchange rate for the Dominican Peso just dropped to the lowest point in history. There is no government help or private medical insurance in the DR to help any amputee. Also, the medical care in the DR is not as current as it is in the US. An injury that could easily be treated in the United States often times ends up with an amputation in the DR. They don’t have the tools, equipment, or the experience or training there to save a limb. There also seems to be a very high rate of congenital amputations as compared to what is seen in other countries.

Any support would be greatly appreciated. The organization needs used components as well as money to operate. If you would like to assist, you can call the office at (812)332-5347 or toll free at (877)436-5347. The money donated will either be used for airfare to Santo Domingo, or for airfare for a child to come to the US for revision surgery and prosthetic fitting. I plan on making 4 trips a years, casting 10-12 patients each trip, and make the check sockets there. I then bring the check sockets here to my office and fabricate the limbs here, and assemble all the parts. I then take the limbs back to the DR with me. Shipping the limbs is not a possibility due to the customs and import taxes that are imposed.

You may view images of some of the many people in the Dominican Republic that I am trying to help, here.