|
New York
(NY): Violent conflicts, malnutrition and
widespread diseases continue to increase the population
of the disabled children each year across the
world. Set in this grim facade,
the proportion of disabled children in developing
countries is generally higher than in developed
countries.
A Leg to Stand On
Inc (ALTSO), a New York-based social service
organization comes out with mind-boggling
statistics pertaining to the downtrend in the
welfare of the disabled children. The factors
which contribute to the suffering segment of
mankind are that inadequate diet and
non-availability of basic or rehabilitative
healthcare to one-fourth of the child population
around the world. During the last decade of the
20th century, more than 2 million children were
killed, 6 million injured or permanently
disabled and 12 million left homeless because of
conflict.
Disabled children
suffer more abuse and violence than other
children. They are imprisoned in institutions,
cupboards and sheds, and left die of starvation.
The number of persons with disabilities is
expected to grow because of two trends -
increased aging and violent conflict. The Asian
and Pacific Region have by far the largest
number of people with disabilities in the world,
the ALTSO observes.
ALTSO took up the
mission of transforming the lives of children
with limb disabilities in developing countries
by offering them the physical capabilities and
self-esteem required to access education, work
and other community opportunities. To increase
the likelihood for success, ALTSO enlists
community involvement through partnerships. The
organization works through the donation of
clinic space, materials, independent
fundraising, and most importantly, by the
donation of the time of local medical
professionals, such as Pediatric Orthopedic
Surgeons, Orthotists, and Physical Therapists.
Their partnerships promote self-sufficiency and
continuity on a local level, and allow them cash
donations to go further to help more communities
globally.
Mr.Mead Welles,
Founder and President of ALTSO, and Mr. Lauren
Rosato, Executive Director, have successfully
formed enthusiastic, diverse and dedicated team
of volunteers to execute several programs for
the targeted groups and help raise their social
status.
The organization
divided its strategy into three vital areas –
Training, Treatment and Therapy. As for the
training, local doctors, prosthetists and
rehabilitation specialists receive training in
advanced orthpaedic surgical techniques,
prosthetic design and rehabilitation best
practices through ALTSO’s Fellowship Training
Program.
Poor, disabled
children are referred by local doctors,
educators, community leaders, family, and
friends. The team of doctors evaluates their
condition and provides them with corrective
surgery, prosthetic limbs and/or orthoses,
physical therapy, and health education. The
specially-organized Training modules level the
playing field for children with limb
disabilities, providing them with an improved
quality of life.
Therapy program
consists of local health professionals who
organize post-operative rehabilitative
activities and maintain accurate and reliable
medical records, thereby providing high-quality,
continuous care.
A special program
is conducted periodically. This is Safari
Program which allows for greater efficiency in
measuring, casting, and fitting limbs. The
program travels four days of every month to
surrounding villages in order to follow-up with
rural patients and to encourage new patient
relationships. Advertisements would be given in
the newspapers and medical bulletins to educate
local community on the benefits of quality
artificial limbs available to children for free.
|
