Follow us on

Tuesday, May 21, 2013 | 1:16 p.m.

Posted: 8:13 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012

Limbs International paves way for amputees across the world, gets input from Borderland

By Gina Benitez

It's a one of a kind nonprofit that made the Sun City its home just last month. On Saturday, it opened its doors to showcase how it's helping amputees in developing countries -- and using the borderland for input.

"The main purpose of what we're doing is trying to make a high functioning, low cost, prosthetic device," said the executive director of Limbs International, Trevor Bergman.

It's a mission that Limbs international has been focused on since they started. On Saturday, the company gave the prosthetic community in the Borderland the opportunity to come out and see what they were all about. Not only that, but to seek input for future projects.

Alfredo Fierro, a prosthetist who came from Juarez, said, "I came to help the people who don't have resources. To help the people who don't have financial capabilities to pay. And this is an opportunity for all those people who need our services - -- who need this type of prosthetics."

Limbs international is offering a product for less than a $100. People would pay over a $1,000 for a knee comparable to this one in the states.

For Brian Lampman, this project hits close to home. He lost his leg in a motorcycle wreck six years ago.

"I've been walking on a prosthetic for about three years using a hydraulic system," said Lampman.

He was just a test subject on Saturday to showcase the product. But he said he believes the benefits of this one are great, especially the fact that it can get wet. Most prosthetics can't.

Lampman said, "With this one, since it's computerized, I can't get it wet at all. So I'm kinda scared to even go to the beach with it."

Saturday was just a step in a much bigger picture. Limbs International plans to expand to even more developing countries within the next few years.

"We wanted to give them something that was based on a very good design in the states, but made out of materials that they can find locally," said Bergman.


More News

 
 
KFOX14 Live Stream

Watch KFOX14 News Live

Watch live broadcasts of KFOX14 News seven days a week.

iSpot Reporter

Borderland Experts

Borderland Experts mobile version

 

© 2013 Sinclair Broadcast Group. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad ChoicesAdChoices.