LN4 Prosthetic Hand Project Begins in San Miguel de Allende

Rotary and Rotaract Clubs of San Miguel de Allende Team Up to Donate LN4 Prosthetic Hands for Free

Two San Miguel de Allende Rotary Clubs have joined forces to create a permanent program to provide free LN4 prosthetic hands to people in Mexico who need them. Applicants need only sign up and provide proof that they need a hand. 

The LN4 prosthetic hand is low-cost, lightweight, durable, and functional. Ernie Meadows, Michael Mendonca and Maurice LeBlanc, an award-winning mechanical engineer specializing in assistive technology with a special interest in upper limb prosthetics, worked to develop this hand that can be manufactured cheaply while maintaining a high level of quality.

To apply for it, those interested must register at https://linktr.ee/Rotaract.SMA or call 415-108-2941. if the application is approved, follow-up will be by phone. As soon as there are 25 approved applicants, they will be invited to an event for receiving, fitting, training and maintenance.

After years of testing, the resulting hand was named the LN4 prosthetic hand in honor of Meadow’s deceased daughter Ellen. In 2006, Meadows donated this prosthetic hand to Rotary friends through the Ellen Meadows Prosthetic Hand Foundation specifying that no one could profit from production or distribution and that recipients would not be charged.
 
For this device to be successful, recipients must have 14 cm. of residual limb below the elbow as measured from the tip of the elbow to the tip of the remaining arm. In addition, there can be no fingers, thumb, or wrist left. Finally, the arm should be flexible and fully healed.
 
LN4 ambassadors have worn these prostheses in almost every corner of the world, in more than 90 countries, including Colombia, Ecuador, Vietnam, India, Jordan, Uganda, Tanzania and others.
 
The LN4 Foundation announced, "We want all people who require a prosthetic hand to have it regardless of their socioeconomic level or ability to pay. We manufacture a durable rudimentary prosthetic hand without electrical parts and, with the help of our partners, distribute it worldwide."

The program will seek to synergize with NGOs for constant promotion of the program, in addition to the Felipe G. Dobarganes General Hospital in SMA, CAISES, secretariats, physiotherapy clinics and doctors.

With this project, the Midday Rotary of SMA is celebrating 18 years of internationally acclaimed service in conjunction with Rotaract SMA, the club for younger Rotarians. Together they are looking for beneficiaries for the prosthetic hands.
 
"It is very gratifying to have people from all over the world visit us and express their amazement at what this small club has accomplished," said Midday Rotary Club President Joe Ruffino, who shared that this has brought growth to the club and the satisfaction of what multicultural membership is bringing to Mexico.
 
He announced that the LN4 team includes psychologists and therapists who will provide any additional support required. Additionally, he concluded, "We want many people and families to benefit from this program as possible, and we will always be there to help our community in San Miguel de Allende and beyond."

For more information, please complete the form on the right and you will be contacted.