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About 500 amputees nationwide are to benefit from free artificial limps being donated by the Center for Advocacy for Persons with Disability (CAPWD) and Ishk Tolaram Foundation, Nigeria.
The free artificial limps provision is also in collaboration with the Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled (GSPD) and the Ghana Federation of Disability (GFD). The donation, which is in two phases, has commenced with the first phase which involves measuring of the amputees for the fabrication and moulding of the limbs in Nigeria.
Mr. Thomas Awinbila, the president of the CAPWD Ghana and coordinator for the Ishk Tolaram Foundation, Ghana, said after the moulding, the second phase would involve the fixing, adjusting and training of the artificial limbs for the 500 beneficiaries in August. Mr. Awinbila noted that the foundation was delighted to celebrate a significant milestone in their collective effort to support amputees in the various communities.
He added that the free artificial limbs donation was a testament to their commitment to inclusivity and care. He said, it was their aim that the artificial limb donation would impact positively on the lives of the beneficiaries to help them to be self-reliant, have personal confidence, dignity and support to do anything they put their minds to.
He defined disability as physical, mental, sensory, or cognitive impairment that might limit an individual’s ability to perform certain tasks or activities, adding that, the interaction between an individual’s impairment and societal barriers, attitudes, and environments might prevent them from fully participating in society. He said that these societal barriers sometimes result in name calling which sometimes humiliates and undermines the integrity of the impaired person.
Mr. Awinbila mentioned that some causes of amputation included medical conditions, accidents, and injuries, congenital conditions, poor circulation and neurological conditions. He said preventive care, timely medical interventions, and support for individuals affected by amputations was very important. “This initiative embodies our nation’s spirit of compassion and solidarity and by providing these life-changing prosthetics, we empower individuals to regain their independence, confidence, and dignity”, he added.
He expressed gratitude to all stakeholders for their various roles, and called on non-governmental organisations in Ghana, and international institutions to partner with them to reach out to more amputees in Ghana. Miss Christabel Coppong, a 15-year-old amputee beneficiary from Dansoman in the Greater Accra Region expressed joy at the possibility of receiving artificial limbs.
Ms. Coppong noted that although she is an amputee, she has friends and family who show her love, making her feel safe and loved, adding that she would be relieved from the use of clutches to support her movements as the artificial limbs would make her movements easy. She stated that artificial limbs would aid her to walk on both legs and do everything normal though it may not feel like walking on natural legs.
She expressed appreciation to the CAPWD Ghana, Ishk Tolaram Foundation for coming to their aid with the free artificial limbs as it would go a long way to improve the livelihood of the physically disabled.
Source: GNA
