Cascade and FOCOS Providing Orthopedic Help in Ghana

Through its relationship with Pam Lupo, C.O., Director of Orthotics for Wright and Filippis in Rochester Hills, Michigan, Cascade Dafo donated over 100 DAFOs to children in need in Ghana. Lupo is a volunteer with Foundation of Orthopedics and Complex Spine, (FOCOS) an international nonprofit organization dedicated to providing affordable or free care to patients with orthopedic and spine conditions in the underserved countries of Ghana and Barbados.

FOCOS programs in Ghana include outreach programs at a newly built FOCOS clinic and other local healthcare centers, as well as working with local healthcare communities to improve the level of care. Healthcare professionals such as Lupo volunteer with FOCOS to help educate and consult with healthcare providers in Ghana to bring orthopedic care up to current standards.

Lupo took her first trip to Ghana with FOCOS three years ago in 2002. She witnessed the poor orthotic care and was moved to get involved. “The technology available is comparable to the 1960’s by U.S. standards, and the number of orthotists per capita is miniscule,” said Lupo. “The population of Ghana is the same as New York State, but Ghana has only 20 Orthotists compared to over 500 for New York.”

“Most Ghanaian children can not afford an orthotic device. It has taken 6 months to get the container shipped and thru customs. In April I will distribute the Cascade DAFOs . We used the DAFOs on children post-operatively, for National clubfoot program we began or for those in physical therapy.” Continued Pam, “There are so many children in need we didn’t have time nor resources to cast and fabricate individual braces. Instead, we selected the best DAFO for the patient and then altered as needed to make it fit as well as possible. It was wonderful to be able to provide some brace support to the children. My previous trips have been heartbreaking when I was unable to provide Orthotics to these children of need. The delivery of these braces will be a dream come true for me!” stated Lupo.

To learn more about FOCOS and the valuable work they are doing and the wide variety of programs they are managing visit www.orthofocos.org or email Lupo at: plupo@wright-filippis.com.