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What to do with a Used Prosthesis

The reuse of prosthetic components is prohibited by law in the United States. However, used prosthetic limbs may be disassembled and the components shipped to third world countries for use by landmine victims and other needy individuals. The following organizations accept donations of used prosthetic limbs and/or components:

Feed My Lambs International
PO Box 224
Raymore, MO 64083
Phone: (816)322-3280
Toll Free: (877)352-3280
FAX: (816)322-2008
E-mail: lhouk@fmli.org 
Accepts wheelchairs, crutches, prosthetic devices, prosthetic socks and any other amputee-related items.

Limbs for Life Foundation
120 N. Robinson, Ste. 1913
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
Phone: (405)235-5462
Toll Free: (888)235-5462
Fax: (405)235-5472
E-mail: cgavras@limbsforlife.org 
URL: http://www.limbsforlife.org/ 
The Limbs for Life Limb Bank collects used prostheses, and distributes them free to amputees in desperate need in third world countries. With the assistance of International Distribution Systems, donated limbs are distributed through cooperative charities.

National Amputee Foundation 
38-40 Church Street 
Malverne, NY 11565 
Phone: (516)887-3600 
* Helps disabled vets and civilians obtain artificial limbs, equipment and jobs.
* Provides used "pylons" for limbs.
* May fund 20% not covered by Medicare.
* Does "amp to amp" counseling, insurance and benefits counseling, gives scholarships, plans recreational trips.

Project - Ukraine
PEL Supply Company
4666 Manufacturing Road
Cleveland, OH 44135-2672
Overseas Medical Aid Group is currently running a long-term project, "Project - Ukraine" in the former Soviet Union. There is a critical need for all components and parts of prostheses and orthotic appliances in the former Soviet Union. Crutches, walkers, wheelchairs, powered chairs, commodes, hospital beds, braces, canes and prosthetic limbs of ALL types are needed. Thank you from the staff of O.M.A.G. (Overseas Medical Aid Group), P. O. Box 14341, Tampa, Florida 33690 Fax: (813) 839-0557, e-mail: omag1@hotmail.com  Web site: http://www.omaghq.com/.

Shared Steps
Old First Church 
Court Square 
Springfield, MA 01103
Phone: (413)737-1411 
URL: http://www.old-first-church.org/prosthetic.html  
Old First Church's "Shared Steps" program is looking for used prosthetic legs (endo-skeletal with SACH foot preferred) which can be broken down into their valuable reusable parts and then shipped to clinics in El Salvador and Nicaragua. The parts are used to build new limbs for victims of land mines at enormous savings. For further information about the "Shared Steps" program or if you would like to volunteer your time, please contact Rev. Rich Fournier or Marion Chartier, Administrative Assistant.

Volunteers for Inter-American Development Assistance (VIDA)
6251 Hollis Street
Emeryville, CA 94608
Phone:  (510)655-8432
URL:  http://www.vidausa.org/ 
VIDA is a non-profit medical relief and development assistance organization based in Emeryville, CA.  Since their foundation in 1991, they have provided nearly $40 million in medical aid to 11 countries in Latin America.  They are currently attempting to acquire prosthetic limbs for victims of landmines in Guatemala and Nicaragua.

World Rehabilitation Fund, Inc.
386 Park Avenue South
New York, NY 10016-8804
Phone: (212)725-7875
Fax: (212)725-8402
E-mail: mail@worldrehabfund.org 
URL: http://www.worldrehabfund.org/contact.htm  
The World Rehabilitation Fund is a world wide, non-profit organization of physicians, therapists, technicians and specialists who are dedicated to relieving the misery caused by war, natural disaster or disease.

Northern Nevada Amputee Support Group (NNASG)
3985 Warren Way
Reno, NV 89509
Phone: (775)333-6601
FAX: (775)825-1066
URL: http://www.powernet.net/~nnasg/index.html 
NNASG collects used prosthetic parts to send to Ralph and Norma Kienzle, prosthetic providers for the Limbless Children's Project of Mindanao in the Phillipines. Even Phillipine adults have very small feet, and the problems of fitting children are highly magnified. Hence, donations of small prosthetic feet are especially welcome. Boxes are packed with used, but usable, stump socks, rubber sleeves, and/or any other usable material that might be helpful and donations of such items are appreciated.

This is an ongoing list and I will add to it as I find other organizations.If you know of one not included here, please by all means, E-mail with the URL.