Almost seven weeks after the massive earthquake centered near Port-au-Prince, thousands of Haitians are dealing with new amputations and waiting for the chance to have a prosthesis. To help meet that need, BioMetrics, Torrington, Connecticut, has donated approximately $15,000 worth of prosthetics componentry toward their care through Physicians for Peace.
The Register Citizen newspaper quoted BioMetrics president Bob Dzurenda as saying, “Like most individuals and corporations, we were horrified by the level of destruction caused by the quake and believe it is important to do what we can to support the people of Haiti. In our case as a prosthetics company, we have a unique ability to make a difference to people who lost limbs…. We’ve been working with Physicians For Peace for eight years and feel fortunate knowing our donations are going to people in need.”
According to the Register Citizen, technician Peter Pocsi thought carefully about what Haitians would be best able to use and chose only those he thought would make a good fit. “We have titanium components that are lightweight and very durable, some state-of the-art artificial feet, very solid knee components, and even an entire carbon fiber leg for an above the knee amputee,” he said.
Dzurenda added, “It is the stated goal of organizations working in Haiti to train Haitians to provide services to their fellow citizens as part of their re-built infrastructure. At BioMetrics we feel proud to support this goal. Who knows-maybe one of the children we help today will grow up to teach, lead, or somehow help others. From our point of view, everyone at least deserves the opportunity to pursue their dreams.”
