Limb Donation Drive, 2022

What began as a brainstorming event on 3rd April 2022 culminated in an eye-watering moment on May 1st 2022, where over 150 people gathered at the KEM hospital, walked inside with a crippled leg and walked out with joy and hope of a better future with a prosthetic leg. It all began post a virtual meet in April 2022 wherein TEAM decided to undertake an iconic prosthetic limb donation drive in their new initiative, “Gift a Foot” for over 150 people living below the poverty line from various parts across Maharashtra. This initiative was inspired by the fact that limbs are a very integral part of our daily life and the awareness to procure such prosthetics by amputees is very limited.

Therefore, on 6th April 2022, T.E.A.M. joined hands with Jaipur Foot and Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayta Samiti (the world’s largest organization for the disabled) to enable the prosthetic limb donation drive at the Orthopaedic Department at KEM Hospital, Parel. The belief in this project was further strengthened by the story of Mr Vinod Rawat an amputee who explained his life-changing experience post his prosthetic foot.

To facilitate this project further T.E.A.M. members divided themselves into groups to handle different aspects of the project. Videos were created to emphasise the importance of limbs and to create awareness regarding the Jaipur Foot prosthetic and its advantages. Amputees were encouraged to take advantage of the drive at K.E.M. hospital in Mumbai. Videos were also created to collect funds for the initiative. The members of T.E.A.M managed to gather a huge sum of approximately INR 14 Lacs to facilitate a better future for these people with disabilities.

On May 1st the orthopaedic department at KEM Hospital, Parel saw an overwhelming response. 150 patients came with the question if they will ever be able to walk again and lead a near normal life. They were counselled and doubts were answered. The Jaipur Foot was fitted for adults and children alike. The TEAM members also helped with the logistics of the camp. The patients were also shown how to use the limbs after the procedure. It was an emotional day for everyone.