Limbs of Freedom, a project to fabricate prosthetic limbs for amputees in Baja California, Mexico, provided limbs to six people at a clinic September 21-24 in Ensenada, Mexico. The project is a joint effort between the Rotary Club of Coronado, California, and the Rotary Club of Calafia-Ensenada.
Victor Luna-Facio, a 15-year-old boy with bilateral lower-extremity amputations secondary to severe neurofibromatosis, returned to the clinic for major revisions of prostheses that were made three years ago. His new prostheses give Victor nearly two inches in height, and the sockets were revised to provide added comfort. Victor walks without a limp and is a well-adjusted teenager despite his disability, according to Anthony "Tony" Barr, president of the Barr Foundation, Boca Raton, Florida, one of the project's supporters.
Antonio Amezcua-Leon, 52, a left transtibial amputee due to bone cancer, was fitted with a prosthesis, allowing him to return to work on the farm where he was active until his amputation two years ago.
Elias Villasenor-Hernandez, a 59-year-old man with diabetes, was fitted with a left-leg prosthesis, allowing him to return to work as a taxi driver. He confidently put down his crutches and walked unassisted immediately after being fitted.
Trinidad San Juan-Cruz, 50, arrived at the clinic without sleep after working 14 hours, supported by crutches, at a supermarket. He was fitted with a prosthesis that will allow him to work without the discomfort of crutches.
Cesar Iniguez-Ruiz, a 31-year-old carpenter, has been severely limited in his ability to work since undergoing a right-leg amputation from polio-related complications three years ago. His prosthesis will allow him to work fulltime and provide for his family.
Christian Valdemar, age ten, who has a severe congenital femur abnormality, was finally fitted with his prosthesis. He has been seen at the last four clinics, and his complex prosthesis will allow him to be active. "He is a remarkable boy, playing soccer with one leg and crutches in the courtyard while patiently awaiting adjustments during the fabrication of his limb," said Barr.
The following volunteers participated in the clinic: Herb Barrack, CPO, Inline Orthotics and Prosthetics, La Mesa, California; Jeff Rocha, Maverick Fabrication, San Diego, California; Steve Tregoning, CPO, Scope Orthotics and Prosthetics, San Diego; Gabino Rivera, Orthotechs, Mexicali, Baja California; and Gerardo Guzman, CP, RTPO, Progressive Orthopedics, San Diego.
Sean Zeller, a student in the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) Prosthetics and Orthotics Program, assisted in the clinic. "His recruitment was a result of the newsletter from the Barr Foundation. His fluency in Spanish and overall hard work were a welcome addition," said Barr.
Coronado Rotarians attending the clinic included President Dan Gensler and Bob Spear.
Appreciation was expressed for assistance and donations, including contributions from SPS, Alpharetta, Georgia; Ohio Willow Wood, Mt. Sterling, Ohio; Otto Bock HealthCare, Minneapolis, Minnesota; and the Barr Foundation.
For more information, contact the Coronado Rotary Club: www.coronadorotary.org, or the Barr Foundation, www.oandp.com/barr
