I always look forward to sending the final results of our success stories to the listserve, the media, our corporate sponsors and Where Hope Meets Help Donors.
Photos available at
http://www.oandp.com/resources/organizations/barr/third_world_efforts.htm
taken by the non profit Smiles Forever organization from a recent March trip to provide Prosthetic rehabilitation to Paulina Costana Flores , a 23 year old a/k amputee in Bolivia.
Smiles Forever director, Sandy Kemper coordinated and delivered the components to the sponsoring prosthetists Juan Barra and Guido Zubieta of Ortopedia Barra in Cochabamber, Bolivia , took the attached photos which are for your consideration for publication.
Thanks to Barr Foundation’s Hope Donor Member Otto Bock Health Care and Smiles Forever,we are able to continue to make a real difference in so many lives.
Below is a message from Sandy Kemper expressing her and Paulina’s gratitude.
Amputees assisted by the Barr Foundation and its participating partners increases to approximately 900 people we have helped become whole again in
42 states 17 foreign countries. Please call me if you require any more details for sponsorships, donations of components or recruitment for pilot programs.
Anthony T. Barr
Barr Foundation
561-394-6514
” Paulina works at the Madre De Dios (shelter for homeless women) helping with the cooking. Smiles Forever is non profit association that provides a vocational dental hygiene program for homeless young women at the shelter.
Although Paulina is not part of the program we felt that her courage and positive attitude to help herself was still part of our mission. With the help of the Barr Foundation and the Otto Bock Healthcare we were to secure a prothestic leg for Paulina.
Juan Barra . Guido Zubieta prepared the socket and continues to monitor her progress. Paulina is continuing physical therapy at the office of Carmen Perez and Eugenia Zegarra.
Within a few days of receiving her new leg Paulina was walking without her crutches. She is currently recieving tutoring to read and write. In her spare time she is is knitting sweaters which she hopes to sell. The plan is that in six months she will be able to attend a technical school in the evening where she will learn a trade to support herself and her two children. Paulina understands and accepts the responsibility of her new leg.
She wants to be the spokesperson for amputees of South America. She wants you to know how happy she is to have this opportunity to start a new life.
As executive director of Smiles Forever I want you to know how grateful I am for having the opportunity to work with both of you. It enforces my belief that working together in partnerships can move mountains. ”
Thank you,
Sandy Kemper
Executive Director of Smiles Forever
