He was attracted to the project by the challenge of building something that hadn’t existed before in such a remote location. “They were looking into the tech aspect of it rather than a practitioner aspect,” he recalls. “Although we’re still making a few orthotics for MMI, we’re also focused on helping them to build their process of making their own AFOs (ankle-foot-orthoses)—providing some materials, showing them the different types of machines that would be useful for them to use down in Peru.

When they finally got their space, they had me on a Zoom call, and we were walking around in the lab space, trying to decide the best place for each machine they acquired. It was pretty cool!”

As the Arequipa clinic’s ambitions grew—to learn to do more for more children and families—the nature of Lawall’s support also evolved, from donors and device-makers to consultants, mentors, and friends whose support often takes the form of insights and advice. Greenawalt gratefully acknowledges a list of other generous donors but points out that “Lawall is helping but in a totally different space unconnected to donated equipment and devices. I call Pat or Bill or Dave when I need something and just say, ‘How would I go about whatever–?’ And they just help me navigate. They’ve been fantastic.

“They helped us figure out that we could get started, and they let us shadow them in their workspace to understand the process. They’ve been available on the phone, made us braces if we bring upcasts, and bought items like swash (a hip brace) and foam, which we can’t get in the country. They have been just really, sweetly helpful in so many ways!”

Only some realize that in a country with rare resources, pioneering efforts require flexibility, creativity, and economical solutions from those spearheading progress.

“Lawall recognized that, and we’re grateful,” says Greenawalt. As a result, in part, of their evolving collaboration, Greenawalt has terrific success stories to share—of cases where the therapists’ concentrated neurodevelopmental-based therapy awakened unused muscles in children whose disability had previously prevented them from walking—and the joy of demonstrating to parents that with appropriate braces and continued treatment, their child can indeed be actively ambulatory.

One small boy required back surgery because of a disabling fall; doctors told his parents he would always be an invalid. Yet a month after daily intensive therapy at the MMI clinic, appropriate wrapping and braces, a walker, and some assistance, he was walking outdoors, with future potential to be discovered.

Dominic, a child born with arthrogryposis – a disease causing significant joint deformities in his arms, hands, and legs–has been a patient of MMI since birth. Over the last ten years, Lawall has made specialized braces that allowed him to ambulate from an early age despite the significant deformities. Dominic who had befriended Greenawalt during her previous stays at the Arequipa clinic, was eager to greet her when she arrived for her visit last spring. He still walks with difficulty following leg operations, yet he runs laboriously to welcome her. “Tears were streaming down my cheeks because he was running!” she remembers. “Today Dominic is a beautiful young man fully engaged in life! This would have been impossible without the annual braces from Lawall, which helped Dominic engage in life, work his muscles, and participate with other children from the time he was a baby. This enhanced his surgical outcomes once funds were raised for the multiple surgeries he had received.

“These therapists do wonderful work, and eight out of ten of these kids have a brace or an insert on during therapy—and now, with Lawall’s help, we’re able to make those needed braces for them as well!” she notes gratefully.

“The work being done in the Rehab Clinic in Peru takes the engagement of support of so many as funding for and access to equipment is limited. What makes Lawall special is that they engaged over 10 years ago and have walked beside us for the years since, helping us to improve our skilled care for the littles who are brought through our clinic doors, we find in orphanages or living on the street often with a single parent or grandparent. I’m an accountant. I cannot offer any support in this space that helps change a life, but Lawall does and was willing to engage with me and dig in deep to support our efforts to service the poor and disabled in the southern highlands of Peru.”