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Rehabilitation

Humanity & Inclusion knows from experience that an artificial limb alone doesn’t change the life of an amputee. Our approach to rehabilitation is based on the recognition of individual needs, taking into account a person’s individual situation, their environment and the local services available.

© M. Bacigalupo Vu'/HI

For people injured as a result of war or natural disasters, who have congenital impairments such as club foot, or who are affected by disabling diseases such as polio, physical rehabilitation is the first step towards regaining independence.

Since 1982, rehabilitation projects have formed a key part of HI's work. At that time, our main activity was providing artificial limbs and rehabilitation to Cambodian landmine victims and refugees in Thailand, enabling them to regain mobility and dignity. Since then, our rehabilitation work has expanded to cover a wide range of activities.

Adapted techniques, appropriate technology

Whether we are fitting artificial limbs (also called prosthetics)1, orthotics2 or other types of walking aids (e.g. walkers and wheelchairs), the techniques our teams use are adapted to the equipment, skills and infrastructure available in the field.

The technology we use is also chosen according to the local context. Indeed the people we help usually need long-term, personalised follow-up and we must ensure that the walking aid they receive is adapted to their situation. Is the patient farming rice fields or living in town, will they need to go up a ladder or can they walk on tarmac, will they be able to come back to a centre to get their artificial limb fixed if it breaks? These are all questions our specialised teams look at before deciding on the most appropriate support.

Long term sustainability

Learning to walk, to speak, or to move your arm... for many people injured or fitted with an artificial limb or a walking aid, this process begins with re-learning the movements essential to daily life activities. Physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, psychologists and healthcare professionals all play a key role on the long road to recovery.

To ensure that the rehabilitation projects we work on become self-sufficient in the long-term, Humanity & Inclusion works closely with local health & rehabilitation stakeholders. To build local and national capacity, our key rehabilitation activities include:

  • Training rehabilitation specialists, prosthetics & orthotics technicians and staff managing rehabilitation centres (administration, HR, coordination)
  • Developing rehabilitation services
  • Supporting the development of rehabilitation services within national health and social systems through the establishment of professionals' networks
  • Gaining recognition for the training and status of new professionals
  • Issues regarding management of services, including cost-recovery schemes
  • Choosing appropriate technologies adapted to each context
  • Establishing temporary prosthesis production facilities in emergency situations with a view to transferring technology and know-how to support local facilities.

1 A prosthesis replaces the limb or the missing part of the limb.
2 An orthosis supports a paralysed or weakened limb.

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Health and prevention
© Johanna de Tessieres/HI

Health and prevention

Good health is an essential part of a person's wellbeing and independence. Whether improving access to local health services, working to prevent the causes of disability, or providing psychological support to the survivors of violence and war, all HI's actions serve one purpose: to ensure that everyone, including disabled people, has equal access to information, health services and care.

Inclusion
© Johanna de Tessieres/HI

Inclusion

There are an estimated one billion disabled people worldwide, 80% of whom live in developing countries. Disabled people are commonly the poorest of the poor in society, experiencing social exclusion and discrimination at all levels.

Emergencies
© Till Mayer/HI

Emergencies

Humanity & Inclusion’s emergency response teams take action on the ground to assist the most vulnerable, in particular people with disabilities, injured and displaced people.