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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.
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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.
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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? |
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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.
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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.
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