legs for the legless - Rotary Club Bandar Sunway

ROTARY CLUB OF BANDAR SUNWAY
DISTRICT 3300
REPORT FOR DISTRICT AWARDS COMMITTEE 2012/2013
PROJECT TITLE:
LEGS FOR THE LEGLESS
AVENUE OF SERVICE:
COMMUNITY SERVICE
SUBMITTED FOR:
LONG TERM PROJECT AWARD
Year Started
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1998
Number of Events held
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Every Year (monthly)
Place
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Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah
Primary Objectives
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1. Provide free artificial limbs
2. Enable patients to lead a normal
life
3. Enables opportunity to earn a
living
4. Bring about dignity
1. OVERVIEW
The artificial limb project known as “Legs for the Legless” is the signature project of the Rotary Club of
Bandar Sunway. Over 500 patients have received assistance in the form of a free artificial limb since the
project started in 1998.
The first event took place in the workshop of Past President K. K. Chue, a Charter Member but in 2003 a
memorandum of understanding was entered into with Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah, Klang who
provided an area in the hospital grounds for regular monthly projects.
Technology was brought to Malaysia from India on the construction of affordable, but durable artificial
limbs. These limbs can be made within 24 hours meaning patients from outstation only need to spend
two days at the hospital to receive their prosthesis.
ARTIFICIAL LIMB PROJECT
LEGS FOR THE LEGLESS
HELPING PEOPLE
WALK AGAIN
INTRODUCTION
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The Rotary Club of Bandar Sunway (RCBS), chartered in 1993, identified
the need for affordable artificial limbs for victims of road accidents and
for people suffering with medical conditions such as diabetes.
Since 1998 the Club’s flagship project has been Legs for the Legless, a
humanitarian service that provides free artificial limbs to needy patients.
Using technology and materials imported from Calcutta, limbs are
specially made by RCBS that are both functional and durable. Patients
fitted with these limbs are able to go back to a normal life which often
means they are able to work again. We aim to build self-esteem.
Our strategic partner in this project is Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah
(HTAR), a Government hospital in Klang, a port city near Kuala Lumpur.
Our Legs for the Legless Centre is located in the hospital grounds.
Our latest Legs for the Legless Camp took place from 1st to 8th
October2012.
HOW THE PROJECT WORKS
TRAINING OF TECHNICIANS
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Volunteers and hospital staff are
indentified as potential artificial limb
technicians.
Training camps are held in India and
Malaysia. Experts from the charity who
make the ‘Jaipur Foot’ in Calcutta are
engaged as trainers.
Training takes between 4-6 weeks and
involves learning to measure the leg,
creating a mould, shaping the limb and
fitting.
Artificial limb technicians work under the
instruction of doctors at HTAR.
HOW THE PROJECT WORKS
LEGS FOR THE LEGLESS CENTRE
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Patients from HTAR in need of limbs are
referred on a regular basis to the RCBS
Legs for the Legless Centre.
Doctors assess the patient’s requirements
and the artificial limb technician will then
take a mould of the stump.
Measurements are taken so that the
length of the artificial limb matches
that of the existing leg.
The artificial limb takes
approximately 24 hours to make.
HOW THE PROJECT WORKS
CAMP SESSIONS
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Camp sessions are held periodically.
These allow patients from other parts
of Malaysia to benefit from the project.
Travelling and accommodation
arrangements are made for the patient
and relatives.
These seven-day camps provide new
limbs for between 30 - 50 patients.
Rotarians will be ‘camped’ at the
hospital for the duration.
PROJECT PROMOTION
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Club Web Site
Facebook Page
Blogs
SMS Blast to 1,200 Rotarians
in District 3300
ROTARIAN INVOLVEMENT
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The project was established and is
managed by RCBS.
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Rotarians from RCBS travelled to
Calcutta to set up the training of
technicians and were part of the
training sessions both in India and
Malaysia.
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At the Legs for the Legless Camp
from 1st to 8th October 2012:
30 of RCBS 38 members
participated.
MEDIA COVERAGE
MEDIA COVERAGE
MEDIA COVERAGE
Prosthetic legs bring new hope to amputees
KLANG, Oct 4— Below-knee amputees are being given a new
lease of life, thanks to free artificial legs provided under a
programme run by the Rotary Club of Bandar Sunway with the
cooperation of Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital here.
Bandar Sunway Rotary Club president Dr R.Thirunavukarasu said
more than 200 amputees had so far benefited from the “Leg for
the Legless” project since it started in 1996.
“The waterproof prosthetic leg, also known as the ‘Jaipur leg’,
has given a new lease of life to many amputees who have lost
their legs due to diabetes or accidents.”
Thirunavukarasu said two prosthetic technicians from Calcutta,
India were assisting the club and the hospital in fixing the
artificial limbs.
He said this year’s project kicked off on Oct 1, with 23 amputees
having benefited from it.
Those wishing to get the prosthetic leg could download the
application form at www.rotarysunway.org or visit HTAR’s
rehabilitation centre. — Bernama
TV NEWS COVERAGE
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Malaysia National Television
TV2 Prime Time News
October 2012 Camp
The Rotary Club of Bandar Sunway
HELPING PEOPLE
WALK AGAIN