Each used prosthetic limb contains components that can be recycled. Some of those components can costs thousands - but are collecting dust in a closet. We want to use those devices to help others walk.
Nashville, TN (PRWEB) August 06, 2013
Built on an innovative partnership with Ghana Health Services, Standing With Hope continues to grow the prosthetic limb outreach it started in the West Africa country in 2005. In an effort to create a sustainable infrastructure, Standing With Hope trains and equips local workers to build limbs for their own people.
Drawing upon her experience as an amputee for more than twenty years, Standing With Hope founder, Gracie Rosenberger, knows first-hand the life-time needs of someone with limb-loss. "You can't simply give a limb to someone and wish them a happy life," states Gracie. "For children, they will need a new limb every year until maturity, and adults require maintenance and even replacement parts on a regular basis - that's why it is vitally important that we keep an ample supply of feet, pylons, adapters, screws, knee units, and other components used to fabricate and maintain prostheses."
To disassemble those collected devices, Standing With Hope turned to unique source of help. With the assistance of Nashville based Corrections Corporation of America (CCA), Standing With Hope pitched the idea of inmates getting involved in the limb outreach. In the volunteer program’s infancy, inmates have disassembled more than a hundred limbs, and now, with a new online inventory management system in place, Standing With Hope seeks to expand the program to collect even more prostheses.
Standing With Hope president, Peter Rosenberger recalls a letter he received from an inmate in the unique program, ‘I never thought of people with disabilities until I started working in this program. I am really glad to be doing something positive with my hands.’”
Reflecting on the program, Rosenberger stated, “When a loved one who wore a prosthesis passes away, the family is often torn about what to do with that limb. They don’t want to throw it away, but may not know where to send it. We will gladly take them limb - and use it to help another amputee walk.”
Those limbs can be shipped directly to the correctional facility at:
Metro Davidson County Detention Facility
Standing With Hope Prosthetic Limb Program
CCA Metro
5115 Harding Place
Nashville, TN 37211
ABOUT STANDING WITH HOPE
After emerging from a horrific car accident that eventually claimed both of her legs, Gracie Rosenberger determined her tragic circumstances would serve as an opportunity to reach others. Although her surgery count has soared to 78 operations and crested $9 million in health care costs, Gracie and her husband, Peter remain steadfast in helping other amputees literally stand with hope through the Christian prosthetic limb outreach they founded.
