Why Reach

Reach is a support group run by families to give us the opportunity to meet others, offer advice and support.
You may have a child in your family with an upper limb deficiency or you know someone who has? Reach is a support group run by families to give us the opportunity to meet others, offer advice and support.
Introduction
Hand or arm deficiency is relatively rare so many professionals involved in health care do not come across it very often, if at all. Reach was founded in 1978 by parents of children missing part of their arm or hand. The formation of the Association was in direct response to the development of a new electronically controlled artificial arm. At that time, the most important aim was to press for provision of this technology to be available under the NHS. It is now recognised that there are many other types of hand or arm deficiency where this, or other kinds of artificial limb are not applicable. Some children in Reach are missing all or part of an arm, many others have partial hands or possibly malformed or missing fingers. Some may also have leg deficiencies. The membership includes families with children of all ages from baby to teenager. A number of adults with limb deficiencies also belong to Reach, willing and able to offer the benefit of their experiences. Membership is open to anyone interested in furthering our aims and objectives including health professionals, friends and relations. For many parents the birth of a child without an arm or a hand is a shattering experience which can leave you feeling isolated and alone. Rarely is there anyone who can really help or even start to answer all the questions that immediately press upon you: Why did it happen? How will he or she cope? What will happen to my baby? What do I do? Certainly it was rare for parents to be able to talk to other parents who had gone through a similar experience. For many parents there was little or no guidance as to what the future might hold. Reach has changed this, the Association has provided the means by which parents can be brought into contact with each other, giving them the opportunity to compare experiences and a means of understanding how others have coped or overcome problems. It can provide information on what to do and where to go for advice regarding treatment and has considerable knowledge and experience in supporting parents, health workers and all involved. Many children and their families have found, since the formation of Reach in 1978, that early and continued contact with others having similar experiences is of immense value.

What are the objectives of Reach?
To promote the interests and needs of children with upper limb deficiencies. Provide support and information to the families and carers of such children. To encourage and support research and development in the following areas: Upper-limb prosthetics and orthotics; The causes of Congenital upper-limb deficiency; Surgical techniques relating to upper-limb deficiencies, liaising with the professional body or institution concerned. To develop and maintain a library of data and information in those areas relevant to the stated objects of the Association.

What does Reach do?
Reach has a number of branches in various parts of the country which provide the opportunity for families to meet locally. Reach publishes a newsletter 'Within Reach'. This provides a regular means of communication to all members families. The newsletters contain a wide range of information and articles on individual families experiences, new developments, details of Branch activities, fund raising efforts, etc. Reach arranges insurance cover for the 'good arm' of children over two years of age in the Association (UK only). This cover is provided as an automatic benefit of membership. Reach has donated substantial sums for research into new technology for the development of improved artificial arms, and into a major project to try and discover why some children are born without an arm. It is fully expected that we will continue our involvement in these areas as well as continuing to expand in to other relevant areas.

Introduction

What are the objectives of Reach?

What does Reach do?