David Lawrence, MSPT, GRS, ATC | Hunter Bogert, PT, DPT, GRS, Bethany Russell, PT, DPT, GRS
Mission Gait Foundation, Virginia, USA
BACKGROUND (approx. 70 words, Arial 10pt)
Healthcare providers in less resourced countries have identified a lack of sustainable partnerships to improve healthcare in their regions, with short term programming representing a particular weakness (1). The Walking Free system represents a departure from traditional approaches by prioritizing sustainability and community empowerment in prosthetic and orthotic fabrication and training. Rooted in the ethos of “teach one, heal many,” this system integrates production and training with physical rehabilitation education.
AIM (approx. 30 words, Arial 10pt)
Describe structural, philosophical, and operational aspects of a sustainable strategy to introduce the capacity for prosthetic and orthotic fabrication and training to a healthcare system, tailored for less resourced regions.
METHODS (approx. 100 words, Arial 10pt)
The Walking Free system begins with establishing Memorandums of Understanding with government entities and local non-governmental organizations to ensure accountability and sustainability. Capacity for prosthetic and orthotic care is then introduced, with updated methods now consisting of the prosthetic & orthotic lab built inside a 12-meter shipping container for immediate productivity upon delivery. Finally, short follow-up trips are formatted as educational opportunities for rehabilitation professionals across disciplines. These are supported by free educational materials on the fully accessible youtube.com/missiongait platform, as well as meetings and training sessions completed via Zoom or WhatsApp.
RESULTS (approx. 130 words or less if you insert an image or table, Arial 10pt)
The Walking Free Program has demonstrated significant success in fostering independence and long-term productivity in less resourced regions. The educational approach, focusing on training rehabilitation professionals rather than isolated treatments, has extended the program’s impact. The system has a long-term presence in 7 countries, from the Caribbean and Central America, to the Middle East, and South Pacific – most recently in the Solomon Islands.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION (approx. 70 words, Arial 10pt)
The results confirm the effectiveness of sustainable and educational approaches in prosthetic and orthotic care. By nurturing local expertise and ownership, the Walking Free Program fosters continuous care beyond short-term interventions. The initiative’s success in diverse, less resourced regions highlights its potential for broader application and impact, and is consistent with the World Health Organization’s recommendation to improve access to assistive technology through “international cooperation to support national efforts” (2).
REFERENCES:
- Kay Y Hon; 2024 BMC Health Serv Res;24(1):324
- Global report on assistive technology. Geneva: World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), 2022
