My step daughter graduated from college with a degree in International Business. She worked for awhile, but realized her passion was still in Medicine. She made the hard decision to go back to school while working and living in Atlanta, GA. But, prior to taking the MCAT for Medical School, she broke her wrist. This necessitated a trip to the orthopedic surgeon. When her wrist healed, she started thinking about where her brace would end up. Landfill?? Unacceptable.
After some investigating, she discovered that there wasn’t any organization recycling these orthopedic items. Surplus orthopedic equipment from people who recover their breaks and sprains was being mostly thrown away or stored until it was thrown away at some future date. She thought that this was a waste and bad for our planet. She also knew that there were many uninsured/under insured people in her Atlanta area who needed this gently used equipment. She saw an opportunity, so she founded Embraced Atlanta, a non-profit business that recycles orthopedic items - crutches, wheel chairs and gently used prosthetics to name a few. http://www.embracedatlanta.org/
Since it was founded over a year and a half ago, Embraced has supported local needs and national/global disasters. The momentum is growing. She was recently on a local Atlanta radio show and got a chance to talk about her passion. If you have a few minutes, please listen:
http://wsrvfm.media.streamtheworld.com/audio/river_current_725_100787191.mp3
Her current fundraiser in Atlanta is a “Battle of the Burgers” http://www.battleoftheburgers.com/ (October 2nd, 2010 at John Howell Park in the VA Highlands) featuring Gureline as an honorary judge. Guerline was the only survivor from her class following the Haitian Earthquake. Her left arm was crushed with no way of saving it. Guerline is currently in Atlanta being fitted for a prosthetic arm. Embraced is currently helping Guerline to obtain the funding for this prosthetic arm through various fundraising efforts.
I would like Lauren to be recognized for her contribution so that others might be inspired to help her with her goal to expand awareness and service of this remarkable effort.
Thank you : )
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3 comments:
That is so incredible! What remarkable woman! Your step daughter sounds so caring, intelligent and just all around beautiful person. God bless her and Gureline!
What a wonderful story. Amazing how breaking her wrist transformed so many peoples lives in a positive way. You must be very proud of her - and how she makes such a difference!
What a wonderful and inspirational story! It just goes to show that one person can help change the world for the better!
Kat :)
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