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Dr. Steven Fisher has been the board president of Healing Hands for Haiti International for 2 years. Over the last 10 years he has served on annual teams of medical rehabilitation personnel to provide prosthetic services and braces to the people of Haiti as well as treat disabled children in orphanages.
(Dr. Fisher and his wife Mimi have a donor advised fund at The Minneapolis Foundation. To date, Minneapolis Foundation donors have contributed more than $115,000 to recovery efforts in Haiti following the earthquake.)
Not only does Healing Hands provide medical services and physical therapy, it is the major facility in Haiti that fabricates prosthetic limbs.
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All of Healing Hands’ buildings were either destroyed or rendered not safe to enter after the earthquake, but at least 80% of the local staff members have been located and are uninjured.
“It is estimated that the earthquake will lead to more than 3,000 new amputees in Port-au-Prince alone,” according to Dr. Fisher. “It is also estimated that 70 - 80% of the injured have fractures of major bones. Some of these will not heal properly and will require amputations in the future.”
U.S .and Canadian professionals from Healing Hands are in Haiti working with other emergency aid organizations including the Utah Hospital Task Force in efforts to secure their clinic site and begin to provide services to local victims. Other international organizations including Handicapped International, Physicians for Peace, World Health Organization and the UN are also in dialogue with Healing Hands regarding establishment of a rehabilitation center at the Port-au-Prince airport. Many other international organizations are standing by to join them when the acute medical care needs give way to a rehabilitative focus.
“For the last 10 years,” Dr. Fisher says, “I have been impressed with the Haitians for their incredible – and much needed – attitude, resilience, and spirit. But you wonder: how much can these wonderful people take? The Haitians had little before, now there are tens of thousands who have nothing without our help: no water, food or shelter.”
Fisher adds, “With help, they will also get much needed prosthetics made by Healing Hands for Haiti International.”
Healing Hands for Haiti International is one of several charities listed on The Minneapolis Foundation website for people who want to help in the recovery efforts in Haiti. Learn how you can help.
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