ME AND MY MIRROR

MISSION STATEMENT: I am dedicated to alleviating the suffering caused by phantom limb pain in conflict/impoverished areas around the world.

Most amputees suffer agony in the limb(s) they no longer have (phantom pain). The pain is neurologic and has, for centuries, been little understood. I have embraced a therapeutic technique called ‘Mirror Therapy’ which was discovered Dr. Vilayanur S. Ramachandran in California some years ago. Treatment involves solely the use of a household mirror and the success rate is virtually 100%.

It’s an optimal treatment for anyone who suffers, but particularly those in impoverished and/or embattled places: no need for unavailable and expensive medicines; no danger of addiction, no need for doctors, clinics, appointments or travel. The basics of treatment can be taught to patients or caregivers in a matter of minutes by example without even the need for a common language. If the patient treats himself for 5 to 10 minutes per session, twice a day for a period of maximum 4 to 5 weeks, he can reasonably expect to be cured.

There is now, finally, much convincing and compelling evidence of the effectiveness of Mirror Therapy including this article by Stephanie Hegarty written for the BBC Online News Magazine.

 

ME AND MY MIRROR

I am bringing relief personally to the afflicted. I am both a cyclist and an above-the-knee amputee and have cured myself of phantom pain through the incredibly simple miracle of mirror therapy. I am currently on the ground in Cambodia  delivering both the mirrors and the therapy by bicycle to afflicted areas from Phnom Penh to the Cambodian Highlands and into Laos. In the hardest hit of these areas upwards of 3 tonnes of ordnance per person was dropped during the Vietnam war. Villagers are still finding cluster munitions and land mines every day; often with tragic results.

I am a one-man act, and so extremely cost-effective for donors and sponsors; no admin costs; no overhead. It is my belief that as an amputee and ex-sufferer arriving by bicycle and both giving and setting examples I have irresistible credibility and a priceless ability to connect with the afflicted.

In my effort to reach as many victims as possible I have been and will continue to incorporate my efforts into those of the established relief/aid/humanitarian foundations and NGOs worldwide.

Cambodia has a high concentration of these organizations, notably the world’s largest land mine clearing organizations MAG (Mines Advisory Group), The HALO Trust, Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC). Working as well with organizations invested in rehabilitating the disabled, like The Cambodia Trust, Handicap International, The International Committee of The Red Cross and The Angkor Association for The Disabled, I have been and will continue to reach out to as many of the afflicted and their caregivers as possible.

Again, as a one-man-act with no command chain and no administrative obstacles I am able to move quickly, cheaply and lightly in allying myself with other related NGOs and in-country partners and utilizing their expertise and infrastructure.

To this end I am currently at work finding donors for funding and sponsors for everything from cash to prosthetics to clothing/soft wear to bicycle equipment.  This website/blog will be used to document my journey and provide a way for sponsors to show their support for this cause.

Thank you very much for your time and interest.