Dreaming and Working Together

04/03/2026

Our first “Viernes Piernas,” or “Friday Legs,” 2026 patient spotlight: Hector! 🇵🇪❤️🦿

04/01/2026

03/28/2026

Yesterday marked our final day at Hospital Nacional Daniel Alcides Carrión del Callao. In just five days, 50 prosthetic devices were created for patients with upper extremity, hip disarticulation, above-knee, and below-knee amputations. Our last day was dedicated to ensuring each patient could fully utilize their device, allowing prosthetists to make final adjustments for optimal comfort, mobility, and independence—before they took them home.

To close out our time, patients and staff held a heartfelt ceremony. We extend our deepest gratitude to every staff member and clinician at HNDAC. This mission would not be possible without the months of preparation and rehabilitation work they invest in each patient, setting the foundation for successful prosthetic use.

We are incredibly thankful for their dedication—and especially for the patients, whose trust and courage inspire everything we do. It’s an honor to play even a small role in helping restore mobility and support their first steps toward a new chapter. 🇵🇪❤️

03/28/2026

This trip wouldn’t be possible without the incredible clinicians who make up this team.

From prosthetists at Hanger Clinic, physical therapists from Hartford HealthCare Rehabilitation Network, Hospital for Special Care, Connecticut Children's, and Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine Centers, to occupational therapists from CCMC, PM&R physicians and residents from Hartford HealthCare, PT students from UConn, and orthotics & prosthetics students from University of Hartford—each of you plays a vital role.

Thank you for your generosity, your compassion, and for selflessly giving your time to be part of this mission.

03/27/2026

Day 4 and everyone has utilized their prosthesis!! The pictures tell the story.

03/26/2026

Physiatrists continued seeing patients in the outpatient musculoskeletal (MSK) clinic, performing several ultrasound-guided injections. They also provided HNDAC physicians with a hands-on lecture and demonstration on MSK ultrasound. Wound care was continued in the outpatient clinic as well.

03/26/2026

Funds raised throughout the year were used to purchase exercise equipment and toys for the pediatric department. Today, the students who led these efforts presented the gifts to the pediatric staff at HNDAC.

The pediatrics team saw two outpatient cases, including a 13-year-old with low tone who worked on following commands through play, and another patient who focused on calming and self-regulation using the ALERT technique introduced in yesterday’s lecture. On the inpatient side, the peds team fed a 3-month-old in the PICU following prior intubation after a fall. Through positioning strategies, the infant was successfully able to take a bottle. They also worked with a 1-year-old with a tracheotomy and ventilator, focusing on developmentally appropriate positioning, educating caregivers on feeding strategies, and introducing solid foods for sensory exploration. The peds team also delivered a NICU presentation on neurodevelopmental positioning, emphasizing techniques to recreate the womb environment—promoting flexion, midline orientation, 360° containment, and recoil through proper swaddling.

03/26/2026

More and more patients began using their prostheses on day three! Each team focused on reinforcing sockets, ensuring proper fit, making necessary modifications, and educating patients on how to use their prostheses to maximize mobility and independence.

In addition, PTs and physical medicine and rehabilitation clinicians rounded on inpatient units, helping mobilize patients and support their recovery.

03/25/2026

From start to finish: crafting mobility, restoring independence. 🦿

We begin by molding a custom socket using fiberglass—working quickly before it hardens to capture the perfect fit. Once set, we refine and reinforce the socket for strength and comfort. Then we add the pylon and foot, making precise adjustments to ensure proper alignment and function.

Every step is hands-on, every detail matters. This isn’t just fabrication—it’s giving someone the freedom to move again.

03/25/2026

Another incredible day of continued fabrication work for our prosthetic patients. It was truly a collaborative effort as our team worked together to fabricate a socket for a patient with a hip disarticulation, while also teaching our colleagues in Peru the process. We are making meaningful progress, with some patients even taking their first steps today.

Within our Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation team, both residents played an active role in supporting all three teams with the fabrication process throughout the day. In the morning, they partnered with physical therapy to mobilize post-neurosurgery patients on the inpatient floor. In the afternoon, one resident joined the pediatric team to assess a six-month-old patient with hydrocephalus.

Meanwhile, our pediatric team delivered a lecture on sensory regulation to our Peruvian colleagues. Following the session, they assisted with feeding in the NICU for two cases: one infant with a cleft palate and another with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 1. They provided hands-on guidance, educating both staff and parents on effective feeding strategies and proper positioning techniques.

We are looking forward to tomorrow as we continue this work and anticipate even more patients taking their first steps with their prostheses! 🇵🇪❤️

03/24/2026

What an incredible first day! We were warmly welcomed with a beautiful opening ceremony, where our president, Paul, had the honor of helping raise the Peruvian flag. It was so wonderful to reunite with our friends and colleagues here in Peru.

This year, approximately 40 amputees were divided among three multidisciplinary teams, each composed of prosthetists, physical therapists, and students. The teams also include first-year Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation residents from HNDAC, fostering a collaborative and educational environment.

The day’s efforts focused on distributing liners, measuring residual limbs, evaluating patients, and beginning the fabrication of new prosthetic limbs. Meanwhile, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation residents and physicians from DWT conducted rounds on the inpatient floors for recent amputees and neurorehabilitation patients, as well as individuals seen in the general outpatient clinic, including amputees participating in this mission.

In addition, the pediatric team visited the outpatient pediatric clinic and conducted rounds in the NICU. At the end of the day, the students taught the patients how to take on/off and care for their liners. We are so grateful for such a great start and are really looking forward to getting back at it tomorrow! 🇵🇪❤️

03/23/2026