Posted on 24 March 2015 - Vathani Panirchellvum newsdesk@thesundaily.com
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PETALING JAYA: Nowadays with the cost of living rising, it comes
as a relief when someone in need gets something free.
That is exactly what the Limbs for Life Prostheses Centre is doing to
as a relief when someone in need gets something free.
That is exactly what the Limbs for Life Prostheses Centre is doing to
help the underprivileged people who lost their legs in an accident or diseases. They are given free artificial limbs to help them be
independent and to move on with life.
independent and to move on with life.
The centre run by the Bandar Utama Buddhist Society is doing this
community service project to help the poor and less fortunate or for
a small donation for those who can afford it.
Through the Berjaya Founder's Day, Limbs for Life received a donation
of RM200,000 which would pay for between 40 to 70 prosthetic limbs.
Limbs For Life Prostheses Centre chairman Chiam Swee Ann said they
are grateful to Berjaya for the money which allows them to provide free
limbs for amputees who really cannot afford.
a small donation for those who can afford it.
Through the Berjaya Founder's Day, Limbs for Life received a donation
of RM200,000 which would pay for between 40 to 70 prosthetic limbs.
Limbs For Life Prostheses Centre chairman Chiam Swee Ann said they
are grateful to Berjaya for the money which allows them to provide free
limbs for amputees who really cannot afford.
"We provide free artificial legs to those who can't afford it, irrespective
of race or religion. Those who do not qualify for the free limbs, they
need to make a donation of RM2,800," said, adding that they also do maintenance of the prostheses limbs free.
of race or religion. Those who do not qualify for the free limbs, they
need to make a donation of RM2,800," said, adding that they also do maintenance of the prostheses limbs free.
"The maintenance is needed due to the wear and tear of the limb or
if the patient outgrows it or gains weight," he told theSun.
if the patient outgrows it or gains weight," he told theSun.
Limbs For Life works closely with The Prostheses Foundation of HRH
The Princess Mother Thailand which governs the transfer of technology
to keep the cost low for prosthetic limbs.
The Princess Mother Thailand which governs the transfer of technology
to keep the cost low for prosthetic limbs.
An artificial limb can cost anywhere between RM8,000 to RM15,000 and
would take between six hours to two days to produce an artificial limb.
Chiam said patients are usually referred by doctors or non governmental organisations.
would take between six hours to two days to produce an artificial limb.
Chiam said patients are usually referred by doctors or non governmental organisations.
"Some come to us after reading about our services in the media or
through the word of mouth," he added.
through the word of mouth," he added.
He said people who come have to fill an application form to determine
their eligibility for free limbs before being checked by their volunteer orthopaedic doctors.
their eligibility for free limbs before being checked by their volunteer orthopaedic doctors.
He added depending on the doctor's recommendation, the patients will
receive their limbs within a week or two.
receive their limbs within a week or two.
The centre is run by a full time manager and three technicians who
themselves (technicians) are on artificial limbs.
themselves (technicians) are on artificial limbs.
One of the technician, R. Paramasivam who lost his leg in a road accident
got his artificial leg at the centre within a short span of time as compared
to the long wait he was put on at another place.
got his artificial leg at the centre within a short span of time as compared
to the long wait he was put on at another place.
"I find the artificial leg here lighter compared to some of those sold in
some places," he added.
some places," he added.
Paramasivam was sent for training to Bangkok before he commenced
work at the centre.
work at the centre.
Berjaya Founder's Day is a day when we remind ourselves that giving
is really about seeing every moment as a gift for us to care for the world
around us. The 5th Berjaya Founder's Day will be celebrated on March
28 in Berjaya Times Square, Kuala Lumpur.
is really about seeing every moment as a gift for us to care for the world
around us. The 5th Berjaya Founder's Day will be celebrated on March
28 in Berjaya Times Square, Kuala Lumpur.
The theme for this year, "Let's Go – Plant a Seed of Love", was chosen
as a call to action to staff of Berjaya and members of the public,
especially the youth, to volunteer their time and effort towards a worthy
cause.
as a call to action to staff of Berjaya and members of the public,
especially the youth, to volunteer their time and effort towards a worthy
cause.
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