The Given Limb Foundation

In the U.S., over 600 military men and women who have put their lives on the line for their country have returned from the Iraq war as amputees. Approximately 1.9 million other Americans have lost a limb due to disease or injury. Worldwide, over 24,000 people are injured annually by landmines and other unexploded ordnance. While technological advancements have produced prosthetic legs that allow amputees to return to a normal life, advancements in arm prosthetic design lag far behind. It is not uncommon for an upper limb amputee to return home with a prosthetic device that does not meet all the needs of daily life.

In the past, it has been the government's need to care for the war-wounded that has been largely responsible for advancements in prosthetics. The military medical community today continues to pursue technological advancements in prosthetic design. However, our research has shown that a number of upper limb amputees who receive high end prosthetic devices discard those devices within months in favor of lower tech options. In addition, the "market" for upper limb prosthetics is too small to attract significant industry investment. The Given Limb Foundation was established to help address these issues. We seek to support academic research in prosthetic and adaptive device design; improvements in outreach, education and support of those who are facing or have had upper limb amputations; and other efforts to improve the lives of amputees around the world.