“Friend in need is a friend indeed”

Colombo friend in need society is a charitable organization dedicated to help the disabled to overcome their disability and lead a near normal life. They provide assistive devices to adults, and children affected by many conditions such as cerebral palsy, polio, club feet, foot drop, ulnar claw, scoliosis, congenital deformities and trauma.

Jaipur foot programme which commenced in 1985 provides prosthetic limbs and orthotic appliances to disabled persons in Sri Lanka. They can have a 100% customized limb fitting to service for the lost limbs. Various types of prostheses are manufactured under jaipur foot programme. The material used is aluminium or plastic.

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           Aluminium limbs are cost effective prostheses which can be fabricated within 4-5 hours.

·         Plastic fabrications were later introduces in 1991. These being qualitatively better have almost replaced the aluminium sockets.

      The project was expanded in 1995 when the society started receiving high-tech ottoback component of artificial limbs used by patients in England. Other components of the limb (plastic socket, shank) fabricated locally and assembled. These imported limbs are more suitable for office and factory workers because they cannot be worn without shoes.

Outline of the manufacturing process is as follows,

• ·       The prepared stump is wrapped with plaster bandage and cast of the stump is obtained.
• ·         Plastic is heated and moulded according to the cast, then it is adjusted according to the height of the patient.
• ·         Other components like feet and knee joint are assembled together to get the final product.

There are various prostheses available according to the level of amputation.

·         Partial foot prosthesis

·         Symes prosthesis for ankle disarticulation

·         Trans-tibial prosthesis for below knee amputations

·         Knee disarticulation prosthesis

·         Trans-femoral prosthesis for above knee amputations

·         Hip disarticulation prosthesis

various types of limb prostheses manufactured by friend in need society

Amputees from areas outside Colombo are provided with free board and lodging in the “Transit hostel“ run by the society, until their limbs are fabricated, fitted and they are trained to use them.

 In addition to supply of prostheses and orthoses it also has various other projects to help the disabled and improve their quality of life.

• ·         Mobile limb fitting camps.
• ·         Sport meets for the Jaipur limb users
• ·          Self employment projects
• ·         Pension scheme for disable elders
• ·         Educational grants to disable children

picture of annual sport meet  

What they do and why they exist is appreciated by a good number of voluntary organizations such as Rotary club, Lions club and public sponsors in addition to the ministry of social services all of which in turn help in much needed funds...

   Manisha Rajakaruna

   24.08.2012

   post number 2