Tsunami amputees

In reference to an article on Jan. 18, as a one-legged man myself I can confirm that limb amputation is the most traumatic experience a person can have, but I would like to reassure those unfortunate victims of the tsunami that new life and hope is possible with artificial limbs.

The pain of amputation is extreme for the first month, even given reasonable doses of morphine. In the second month wheelchairs are most desirable and crutches necessary. By the end of the third month a prosthesis can be made and the scary first walk is taught. This is the time when skillful disability center people perform their craft.

Unfortunately there does not seem to be such a center in either Medan or Banda Aceh. No doubt both places will establish temporary facilities within the coming weeks, and hopefully make them permanent for the long-term needs of the many amputees of the tsunami.

Oxfam springs to mind to provide continued support until the government takes over.

If the above is so, I would very much like to help one of these centers.

Perhaps the comments in this letter can be passed on to the suffering to give them some hope and reassurance about their future. They will join a special club of special people who do all sorts of things in due course of time, including cycling, swimming, soccer, climbing ladders and much more.

The younger the better as regards to coping, but of course patience is the main factor as it takes perhaps two years to fully stabilize.

DAVID WALLIS Norwich, UK