Walk India

Disabled means differently abled

A sizeable number of physically handicapped are amputees, those who have lost their lower limbs due to accidents or diabetes. Among the various types of physical disabilities, people with lower limb amputation benefit the most when fitted with a prosthesis [artificial limb]. An artificial limb is essential to make an amputee get back his life and to resume livelihood and work independently.

Walk India is the dream project of our founder Dr. Sunder. It is about making people with lower-limb amputation to get back on their feet.

Freedom Trust conducts special camps for limb fitting at various towns and villages all over India and enable the amputees to walk with their newly fitted limbs. For this purpose, a mobile workshop donated by The Rotary Club of Chennai Mambalam specially fitted with all equipment needed to manufacture limbs is used.

How It Works

Walk India is essentially executed by conducting camps. There are three camps involved to complete the process, namely, Assessment Camp, Distribution Camp, Follow Up Camp. These camps have established process to ensure every beneficiary gets individual attention, to make sure they get the right equipment that fits them well, and are trained for ongoing usage.

Assessment Camp

Field Visit

Each project begins with field visits by our field coordinator. A local organizer in the village or town is identified, usually an NGO or a voluntary association working in the field of disability. The need from the local physically challenged community is identified through them and data of persons needing appliances is collected before conducting the camp. A venue for organizing the camp in the same village or town which will be easily accessible and has disabled friendly amenities is chosen.

Assessment

Walk India is essentially executed by conducting camps. There are three camps involved to complete the process, namely, Assessment Camp, Distribution Camp, Follow Up Camp. These camps have established process to ensure every beneficiary gets individual attention, to make sure they get the right equipment that fits them well, and are trained for ongoing usage. These processes are done in an agile and lean manner to ensure time and cost efficiencies.

Measurement

Walk India is essentially executed by conducting camps. There are three camps involved to complete the process, namely, Assessment Camp, Distribution Camp, Follow Up Camp. These camps have established process to ensure every beneficiary gets individual attention, to make sure they get the right equipment that fits them well, and are trained for ongoing usage. These processes are done in an agile and lean manner to ensure time and cost efficiencies.

Distribution Camp

Trial

Prior to giving the appliances, a trial camp is conducted the same day or a day before, to check if they fit the beneficiary properly. The prosthetic team trains the beneficiaries how to wear the device and maintain it.

Gait Training

It is a training given to the users of artificial limbs to walk with their new limb. Such training is a vital factor in prosthesis fitment that will help the beneficiary use the appliance properly.

Distribution

Distribution of the appliances is done at a function in the town or village where the measurements were taken. The appliances are given away free of cost to the respective beneficiaries. The function usually involves the sponsor for the camp, team from the trust, the local organizer and the beneficiaries for the camp.

Follow Up Camp

A follow up camp is conducted after two months from the date of the distribution camp. Quality of the given appliance, comfort and its maintenance by the beneficiary are monitored. Repair or service for the distributed items where necessary are provided free of cost to the beneficiaries.