In November 2024, I embarked on a journey to Macas, Ecuador with the Range of Motion
Project (ROMP), carrying 50 pounds of prosthetic components and a desire to contribute to
a meaningful mission: mobility for all. This trip offered not only an opportunity to serve but
also an invaluable learning experience and community that I’ll carry forward in my career
as a prosthetist/orthotist.
Our team, consisting of ROMP staff and four volunteers, traveled eight hours south of
Quito to the city of Macas and then to Logroño, an indigenous community receiving its
first-ever ROMP brigade. Over the course of the week, we delivered 19 prostheses to
patients and helped several others along the way. Despite challenges such as power
outages, long days, and adapting to a new environment, the sense of purpose and
teamwork made every moment meaningful. As I reflect on my time there, I return to
memories involving connection. Connection to the staff, the volunteers, connection to the
patients, their families, connection to their community and environment. In this field, it is
easy to get caught up in the technical aspects, but I want to share a few moments from the
trip that left a mark on me and convey ROMP’s mission.
Young Resilience
Working with children during the brigade was both humbling and inspiring. These young
individuals, many of whom have faced incredible hardships, display a resilience and spirit
that are truly remarkable. I had the pleasure of meeting Ezequiel, a 13-year-old boy, and a
young girl, Maria, born with congenital limb differences, who exemplified this spirit.
Without access to mobility aids, Ezequiel first relied on a wooden crutch built by his father,
and ROMP provided him with his first prosthesis in 2022. He and his mother crossed two
rivers to receive a new prosthesis to accommodate his growth. He expressed an interest in
soccer, and when I showed him the sport of amputee soccer, his eyes lit up! Although
young, Maria influences everyone in her path. With a unique anatomy, she refuses to let her
limb difference or prosthesis define her. She spent her time running around, giving hugs
and spreading joy to everyone she met. It was incredibly rewarding to feel their unshakable
positivity, seeing that our work can help children maintain their youthful spirit and zest for
life.
Strangers Turned Family
When providing care to such a remote and underserved region, challenges include
transportation and housing for the patients, wellness follow-ups and funding to ensure patients
are receiving appropriate care. Margot, an Ecuadorian native, goes above and beyond to
facilitate and provide resources to help her community overcome these challenges. For the
week of our clinic, her house became a home, a bed, a meal, a safe space and a community for
these patients. Whether it was organizing our makeshift ‘prosthetic office’ or nature-based band,
her tireless dedication to her community encouraged connection and a new family.
ROMP’s Mission in Action
On our trip back to Quito, a stop for ice turns into a moment that could be described as
fateful or maybe just a perfect opportunity to showcase ROMP’s values. A former patient
was spotted on the side of the road with essentially no belongings. He was evaluated for a
prosthesis over a year ago but lost contact due to the remoteness of his community. The
ROMP team immediately sprang into action, reconnecting with him and making a plan to
resume his care. This selfless moment highlights the commitment ROMP has to ensuring
no one is left behind and that people always have a community to empower them.
***
The experience didn’t end when the trip was over. Upon returning home, I’ve found myself
reflecting on how to integrate what I learned into my everyday practice and how to spread
the spirit of this work with others in my community. Experiences like this aren’t meant to
be filed away merely as cherished memories but harvested and shared. They carry lessons,
inspiration, and a ripple effect for others. The connections I experienced continue to unfold each
time I share these moments. Thank you to the team- Mireya, Sara, Steven, Pablo, Ivanna, Emily
and Charlie for turning 10 days into a lifetime of memories. Thank you to ROMP for including
me in your community. Let’s continue to share, support, and spread mobility for all.
