Port-er Projects

PROJECTS

PORT-ER supports projects through grant funding to applicants who want to host their own project in the UK or internationally. PORT-ER also delivers events in the UK with help from our network of volunteers and consultants. Our project list includes:

PORT-ER SPORTS

630 MILE AMPUTEE CHALLENGE

RUNNING

SPORTS: SPEEAD project

ORTHOTICS

FOOTWEAR

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

INDIA

THE BALKANS, EASTERN EUROPE

PAKISTAN

ETHIOPIA

OTHER UK ACTIVITY

NATIONAL exhibition

PORTSMOUTH

LUTON AND DUNSTABLE

UK STUDENTS IN CHINA, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

PORT-ER IS FOUNDED

PORT-ER SPORTS


630 MILE AMPUTEE CHALLENGE
Colin Edwards completed a 630 mile challenge run on the South West Coastal Path
Read more about his project here.
Find our special challenge newsletter here
Follow Colin's training blog or make a donation:
www.justgiving.com/colinedwards-run
and
www.colinscoastalrun.wikispaces.com

RUNNING PORT-ER has been involved in delivering Running Master Classes in the UK in collaboration with expert sports and rehabilitation professionals. Being able to run inspires confidence and enables someone who has had a leg amputation to get more exercise or to take part in sport. Our first Running Master Class in 2007 was in response to requests from prosthetic leg users who wanted to learn

to run. This was very successful and we continue to deliver Running Master Classes in the UK.

Feedback from a past event reflects the importance of being able to run:

�It was most certainly one of the best days I've had since my new life started and it has returned a bit of my self-respect and confidence. I took my eleven year old son to his footy match on Sunday where we had running races to help him cool down afterwards. There aren't words to describe how I felt, mind you my son just said "not bad for an old man", praise indeed�.

More information�

Running advice for people with leg amputation click HERE

SPORTS- SPEEAD project Championing Sporting Prosthetics. Trustee Colin Edwards was on the steering group of the SPEEAD (Sporting Prosthetics for Everyday and Elite Athletes with a Disability) project in 2008 and 2009 and helped deliver 2 SPEEAD Master Classes and a SPEEAD conference.

More information�

SPEEAD project 2008-2009 click HERE

Master Class booklet Loughborough 2009 click HERE

Master Class booklet Glasgow 2009 click HERE

SPEEAD project, NCPO, University of Strathclyde click HERE

ORTHOTICS


FOOTWEAR Designed by Children We are promoting modern footwear designs for children who need prescription footwear. Click HERE to see our Designed by Children collection.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

INDIA PORT-ER is funding a small businesses initiative in India following a grant application by the Society for Women's Education and Awareness Development (SWEAD); a charity registered in India. This community project aims to empower wheelchair users to be more independent and �reduce discrimination and stigma of wheelchair users and enhance self-esteem, dignity and respect�.
The project aims are:

� To educate wheelchair users on mobile handset service repairs

� To serve as a forum for wheelchair users to work together as a team.

� To enable wheelchair users to get involved in economic activities through access to their respective business ventures.

� To reduce discrimination and stigmatisation

Participants on the skills training programme are able to access a combination of business training and physical therapy sessions in the Chidambaram Taluk area. SWEAD explained that some of the background to the project is a cycle of poverty: �As street beggars wheelchair users are exposed to high risks on the highways and streets and in the absence of an alternative means of livelihood, street begging has remained the only option for survival�.

The final report on the project can be downloaded here.


THE BALKANS, EASTERN EUROPE PORT-ER granted �1,500 to a project called �Human Study� that was in need of additional funds to supplement the training of 20 prosthetist/orthotist students from Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia. There is a
specific need for prosthetic care in this region because of a significant landmine problem. Students receive a 3 year training as orthopaedic technologists supplying mobility devices to a large population with disabilities who would otherwise not receive safe care from trained personnel. This regional educational program offers an upgrading education for practitioners on the job for at least 5 years, who had no opportunity to receive a formal education.
Eventually, 2000 patients every year will be provided with highest quality contemporary Prosthetic & Orthotic services by orthopaedic technologists trained through the Human Study program.

PAKISTAN After the earthquake in Pakistan which led to numerous limb amputations because of crushing injuries from collapsed buildings, PORT-ER supported a �training the trainers� approach rather than direct aid provision to ensure better investment of precious resources. A �1,000 grant enabled specialist teachers of prosthetics from the National Centre for Prosthetics and Orthotics, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, to

work with the staff at Pakistan Institute for Prosthetic and Orthotics Science (PIPOS). They delivered a course upgrading the skills of Pakistani teachers in modern techniques enabling them to care for local people with amputations of legs and arms in 2008.

ETHIOPIA Specialist Physiotherapist, Penny Broomhead, received a grant of �400 to provide advice, training and education on areas of physiotherapy and rehabilitation of prosthetic limb users as requested at Jimma University Hospital, Ethiopia in 2007. PORT-ER trustees were keen to get Penny�s perspective on physiotherapy needs for people in this challenging rehabilitation environment as Penny is a Clinical Specialist in Amputee and Prosthetic Rehabilitation.

OTHER UK ACTIVITY

NATIONAL exhibition 2011 sees the launch of the first annual exhibition. One Life � Live It! the lifestyle exhibition for people living with limb impairment on Friday 9 September 2011 in Bristol. This is an exciting new exhibition for people with leg or arm problems, limb loss or absence, arthritis, stroke, movement disorders, wheelchair users etc. Download an A4 poster HERE and visit our PLANNED EVENTS to learn more.

PORTSMOUTH In response to a funding application PORT-ER supported Information Centre development in St Mary�s Hospital, Portsmouth. Click HERE

LUTON AND DUNSTABLE In response to a funding application, PORT-ER supported an Amputee swimming group in 2008. Click HERE

UK STUDENTS IN CHINA, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Over the years, PORT-ER has had the support of prosthetist/orthotist students from the University of Strathclyde to help with charity fundraising and events. These students in return received small grants from PORT-ER to support their field trips in China, Cambodia and Vietnam.

PORT-ER IS FOUNDED

PORT-ER was formed in 2006 in response to the world need for improving the standards of care for people who require the use of artificial limbs or splints - both in the UK and internationally. Currently some 25.5 million people in the world are estimated to need prosthetic limbs or orthotic devices. The launch of PORT-ER saw the creation of a unique funding source that was conceived by a group of friends aware of the tremendous need for improved provision of prostheses and orthoses both at home and abroad. Key milestones in the first year included:

� the establishment of PORT-ER

� the identification of our patron, Michael Caines

� our inaugural Ball in Devon

� a fundraising launch event dinner in Glasgow

� our first funding grant was made to support a training course for Pakistani prosthetics lecturers to learn more about prosthetic legs. The course had to be postponed because of bombings in the Pakistan region and eventually was provided in 2008 in Glasgow (see Pakistan information above).

Registered charity number 1116594

Registered company number 5735089