Potential funding sources in the United States are listed below. If they are in a position to assist, they can contract with a regional prosthetic practitioner.
The Barr Foundation
136 NE Olive Way
Boca Raton, FL 33432
U.S.A.
Telephone: (561) 391-7601
E-mail: barr@oandp.com

Limbs for Life Foundation
5929 N. May, Ste. 511
Oklahoma City, OK 73112
U.S.A.
Telephone: (405) 843-5174
Toll Free: (888) 235-5462
Fax: (405) 843-5123
E-mail: lflf@limbsforlife.org

You can also find a domestic funding fact sheet online through the Amputee Coalition of America.

Answer: There are a few large non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that work in the field of prosthetics and orthotics:

Handicap International
14, av. Berthelot
69361 Lyon Cedex 07
France
Telephone: 33 (0) 4 78 69 79 79
Fax: 33 (0) 4 78 69 79 94
E-mail: contact@handicap-international.org

International Committee of the Red Cross
Public Information Centre
19 avenue de la Paix
CH 1202 Geneve
Switzerland
Telephone: 41 (22) 734 60 01
Fax: 41 (22) 733 20 57
E-mail: webmaster.gva@icrc.org

POWER – The International Limb Project
4 Church Road
Lewknor Oxon OX49 5TP
United Kingdom
Telephone: (44) (0) 1494 464922
Fax: (44) (0) 1494 464922 or 01494 464933
E-mail: power@sarhodg.demon.co.uk

Mobility Outreach International
192 Nickerson Street, Suite 201
Seattle, WA 98109
U.S.A.
Telephone: (206) 726-1636
Fax: (206) 726-1637
E-mail: info@mobilityoi.org

Vietnam Assistance for the Handicapped
P.O. Box 6554
McLean, VA 22106
U.S.A.
Telephone: (703) 847-9582
Fax: (703) 448-8207
E-mail: vnah1@aol.com

Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation
1725 Eye Street NW, Fl. 4
Washington, DC 20006
U.S.A.
Telephone: (202) 483-9222
Fax: (202) 483-9312
E-mail: dha@vi.org

World Vision, Inc.
P.O. Box 9716
Federal Way, WA 98063-9716
U.S.A.
Telephone: (253) 815-1000
Toll Free: (888) 511-6598
E-mail: info@worldvision.org

See our page on donating used prosthetic equipment.

Answer: One of the main prohibiting factors is the fact that the sockets are custom fit for each individual. Also, there is a liability issue regarding the components: The manufacturer’s warranty follows the invoice for the component. If a part that was ordered for one patient is later used for another, the manufacturer will no longer guarantee it. If a reused component fails and the amputee is injured, the prosthetist does not want to be held liable. To avoid assuming liability, a private practicing prosthetist will use only new products backed by the manufacturer’s warranty.

A few non-profit research organizations will use patient consent forms signed by the amputee stating that the amputee will accept a prosthesis that is assembled with used components. In this case, the patient is not charged for those components and the prosthetist can fit them provided they are appropriately applied. In a research setting, the components may be in development and the prosthetist can only say that to the best of his or her knowledge the part should not fail.

Educational institutions will also use amputee consent forms, allowing students to fabricate a prosthesis that is assembled with used components. This helps to control costs. Again, there is no charge to the amputee and no guarantee on the prosthesis.

Answer: Each year, the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics (O&P), Inc., publishes a Registry & Reference Guide that lists, among other things, 10 O&P programs offered in the United States. American Board Certified (ABC) practitioners will have information about these schools and the programs they offer through their copy of the guidebook. Local practitioners can be found in your phone book.

Programs include training as a technician and courses leading up to a practitioner’s certificate or a Bachelor of Science degree. Once you have graduated and completed an internship you are eligible to take the board exams for certification. Licensure is a more recent requirement and is only required by a handful of states at this time.

Answer: The Journal of Mine Action contains a great deal of information about landmines. It is published three times per year.

Journal of Mine Action
Mine Action Information Center
James Madison University
University Blvd., MSC 4003
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
U.S.A.
Telephone: (540) 568-2503
E-mail: hdic@jmu.edu

Answer: Start by contacting one of the following companies:

Motion Control, Inc.
2401 South 1070 West, Ste. B
Salt Lake City, UT 84119-1555
U.S.A.
Telephone: (801) 978-2622
Toll Free: (888) MYO-ARMS (696-2767)
Fax: (801) 978-0848
E-mail: info@utaharm.com

Otto Bock HealthCare
3000 Xenium Lane North
Minneapolis, MN 55441
U.S.A.
Toll Free: (800) 328-4058
Canada: (800) 665-3327
Fax: (800) 962-2549
Canada Fax: (800) 463-3659
E-mail: info@ottobockus.com

Hosmer Dorrance Corporation
561 Division St.
Campbell, CA 95008
U.S.A.
Telephone: (408) 379-5151
Toll Free: (800) 827-0070
Fax: (408) 379-5263
E-mail: hosmer@hosmer.com

Answer: Listed below are a few books highlighting some major developments that contributed to modern prosthetics. Some of them may be difficult to find unless you have access to a University library.

• Ackerknect, Erwin H. A Short History of Medicine. Baltimore and London: The Johns Hopkins University Press. 1982.
• Gibson, Tom and Elizabeth Wilson et.al. The Advance of Orthotics: The History of Orthotics. Baltimore: The Williams and Wilkins Co. 1976.
• James W.V. and Orr J.F. “The Pringle and Kirk Four-Bar Crossed Linkage and the ‘Safety Knee’”. Prosthetics and Orthotics International. Apr. 1986, 10(1): 23-26.
• Kessler, Henry Howard. Cineplasty. Springfield, Illinois: Charles C. Thomas. 1947.
• Lee, Denis C. “Tycho Brahe and His Sixteenth Century Nasal Prosthesis”. Plastic Reconstructive Surgery. 50: 337. Oct. 72.
• Mazet, R., Jr. and R. Churpurdia. “Pylon and Peg Legs”. Clinical Orthopedics and Related Research. 57: 117-136. Mar./Apr. 1968.
• Miroslaw V, Kingsley RP, Brian AG, Edward HE, Robin RG. Amputations and Prostheses. Second Edition. Eastbourne, England: Bailliere Tindall, 1986.
• Orr, Thomas G. Modern Methods of Amputation. St. Louis: The L.V. Mosby Company, 1926.
• Padula, Patricia A. and Lawrence W. Friedmann. “Acquired Amputation and Prostheses Before the Sixteenth Century”. Angiology. Feb. 1987, 38(2 PT 1): 133-141.
• Sanders, Gloria T. Lower Limb Amputation: A Guide to Rehabilitation. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis, 1985.
• Tosberg, William A. Upper and Lower Extremity Prosthetics. Springfield, Illinois: Charles C. Thomas, 1962.
• Wilson, Bennett A., Jr. “The Modern History of Amputation Surgery and Artificial Limbs”. Orthopedic Clinics of North America. Vol. 3, No. 2 (July 1972): 267-285.
• Wirta RW, Taylor DR, Finley FR. “Pattern Recognition Arm Prosthesis: A Historical Perspective – A Final Report”. Bull Prosthetic Research. Fall 1978: 8-35.

Answer: Following are a few websites you could check into. They will probably be more help to you if you are located in or near the United States.

Amputee Coalition of America
The Barr Foundation
Hanger Orthopedic Group

Also, please take a look at our Related Links and Information pages for more useful websites.