Prosthetics component of the mission

There are still approximately 100, 000 patients living in Vietnam that have lost limbs due to silent landmines, trauma, infections, and diabetic complications. The patients are a resourceful group, often times making a crude prosthetic limb out of anything available to them (wood, tree trunks, scrap metal etc…). While these certainly are useful, they are not properly fit causing pain, irritation, infection, and poor gait. They also weigh a great deal more than the prosthetics our team will provide. The Mercer team makes lightweight, universal fitting prosthetics that will be customized to each patient’s situation. The patients also arrive hours before our team does, and once in the prosthetic clinic area, a group of 2-3 students will assess, evaluate and determine the best approach to take to fit each patient. This process could take hours to a full day, however, each patient is so understanding and happy for our hard work, that rarely do you hear a complaint. Many times a patient has never worn a prosthetic and/or walked normal since their accident. This day for them is life changing. We are able to provide most patients with a new and better way of life, and the look of joy and gratitude on their faces is priceless. Fitting prosthetics also gives our team a new appreciation for the way of life patients around the globe live and struggle with each day.