Limb differences have been receiving a lot of media attention lately. Most recently, the tragedy in Boston has brought the issue to the forefront with many of the victims losing limbs. Also, returning veterans are frequently limb different because of IEDs. All of this, and the continued emerging technology of prosthetics, has given limb differences a very positive spotlight. As the issue has gained national awareness, it seems that the limb different community now has an even stronger voice.
This raises that question: how are limb differences treated worldwide, especially congenital limb differences?
Disabilities can be stigmatized in any country. But what happens when a child is born with a limb difference in a developing nation? Who helps? Where do you turn?
We’ve spent the last two days looking at wheelchair vehicles and prosthetics. I’m exhausted and my head is spinning. We had anticipated the price tags to be one of the major stumbling blocks. It turns out that’s not even our biggest problem. Instead we are stymied by vehicle seating configurations and prosthetics that will make our already easily overheated daughter sweat.
I’m ready to lay my weary down. What if I had to do it without Google or Starbucks or without an air conditioned car speeding me along to my appointments in the HOV lane? What then?
All statistics are from Compassion International’s Winter 2013 magazine. Compassion cites their sources as: UNICEF, World Bank, Forum on Public Policy, WHO, World Resources Institute, UNESCO
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Here’s an interesting article on Limb differences in Afghanistan
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