Nine receive prosthetic limbs

Nine amputees in Dominica are beneficiaries of prosthetic limbs courtesy of the ‘Keep Walking Association’ (KWA) based in France.

The recipients are Albert Clarke, Luke Fabien, Andy Fontaine, Jose Lamar, Magdalene Laville, Akim Lugay, Irma Raymond Joseph, Maurelle Xavier and Alleyne Thomas.

They join Silious Charles of Coulibistrie, Caryl Mitchel of Morne Prosper, Rennix Jno Charles of Salisbury and Claraline Ismael of Mahaut, who were the first recipients of prosthetic limbs from the association in December, 2015. It is part of a project being undertaken in collaboration with the Dominica Association of Persons with Disabilities (DAPD).

“The project will not end there, we intend to continue because we have a number of persons on the waiting list…,” Executive Director of the DAPD, Nathalie Murphy said during a ceremony held at the DAPD’s Headquarters in Goodwill on Wednesday.

She said that KWA and Orthoipedie Bontoux have entered into a five-year agreement and she hopes the project will continue for that same period of time.

One of the founders of the KWA, Marc Hellie said this is his team’s second time in Dominica for the project to build legs for the Dominican people, saying the one in 2015 was a “success.”

“So it was good to keep on going this way,” he stated.

Executive member of the DAPD, Irma Raymond Joseph who is also a beneficiary of a prosthetic limb said, “For many of us, it has been many years that we have been using our crutches, our walkers and I personally I can say thank God.”

She revealed that she has been an amputee for the past 21 years.

“From now until death do me part, I will have two [legs]. So I thank God for that,” Joseph remarked. “When each and every one of us look at the cost of receiving a prosthetic leg, it is more than an arm and a leg for us, so with the aid of the Almighty and Keep Walking Association, DAPD and all the other partners, we say thank you…”