Posts Tagged ‘Prostheses Foundation’
Wednesday, March 10th, 2010
In preparation for Thailand’s National Elephant Day on March 13, the Prostheses Foundation began molding a new prosthetic leg for elephant landmine survivor, Motala.
Staff from the Prostheses Foundation prepare to take a mold of Motala's amputated leg.
Motala stepped on a landmine on August 15, 1999. She received her first prosthetic limb 10 years later, on August 16, 2009, a historic event we filmed for The Eyes of Thailand documentary film.
Elephant landmine survivor, Motala, waits patiently as the Prostheses Foundation staff make a mold of her amputated leg in order to build her a new prosthetic limb.
After a brief set-back, she slowly began to put more and more weight on the prosthetic limb as she learned to walk with it. On December 25, 2009, she received a new foot pad for the prosthesis, and on March 10, 2010 the Prostheses Foundation began to build her a new prosthetic limb, which they will present to her on March 13, 2010 at the Friends of the Asian Elephant (FAE) Elephant Hospital outside of Lampang, Thailand.
After filling the mold with plaster and letting it set, the Prostheses Foundation begins to smooth and sand the mold so that it matches Motala's measurements. They will use this mold to create a cushioned liner and the prosthesis.
We will post more pictures as we receive them from Soriada Salwala, the Founder of the Friends of the Asian Elephant (FAE) Elephant Hospital and featured in the elephant conservation documentary, The Eyes of Thailand. Stay tuned!
Sincerely,
Windy Borman
Director, Producer and Writer, The Eyes of Thailand
Tags: animal abuse, animal rights, animal welfare, asian elephant, asian elephant hospital, D.V.A. Productions, documentary, elephants, Eyes of Thailand, Friends of the Asian Elephants, landmine, Motala, Prostheses Foundation, prosthesis, prosthetic, Soraida Salwala, Windy Borman
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Friday, February 19th, 2010
Please enjoy the new photos of Mosha, taken on February 12, 2010 by a member of Collecting Smiles Club.
Mosha (photo credit: Collecting Smiles Club)
Mosha (which means Star in the Karin language) is a 3-year old Asian Elephant at the Friends of the Asian Elephant (FAE) Elephant Hospital. When she was 7-months old, Mosha stepped on a landmine along the Thai-Burma border. Her owner donated her to FAE, where Soraida Salwala and her staff could rehabilitate and care for her.
Mosha, with chalk on her amputated leg, which helps reduce the irritation of wearing her prosthetic leg. (photo credit: Collecting Smile Club)
When we first met Mosha in 2007, she was a curious 2-year old, who wobbled on three legs. When we returned in August 2009, Producer/Director Windy Borman filmed Mosha receiving a prosthetic limb from the Prostheses Foundation for the documentary, The Eyes of Thailand.
Mosha with a member of the FAE staff at the Elephant Hospital. (photo credit: Collecting Smiles Club).
To see Mosha’s progression over the years, please click here.
Sincerely,
Windy Borman
Producer, Director and Writer, The Eyes of Thailand
Tags: asian elephant, asian elephant hospital, Collecting Smiles Club, Eyes of Thailand, Friends of the Asian Elephants, landmine, Mosha, Prostheses Foundation, prosthetic, Soraida Salwala, Windy Borman
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Tuesday, December 29th, 2009
Motala and Baby Mosha each received their new prostheses from the Prostheses Foundation. Both Asian Elephants are survivors of landmine accidents and star in the feature-length elephant conservation documentary, The Eyes of Thailand.
Motala stepped on a landmine on August 15, 1999. She received her first prosthetic limb 10 years later, on August 16, 2009. After a brief set-back, she slowly began to put more and more weight on the prosthetic limb as she learned to walk with it. On December 25, 2009, she received a new foot pad for the prosthesis.
The Prostheses Foundation gave Motala's prosthesis a new foot pad.
Mosha stepped on a landmine in June 2006. Because she was younger (only 7 months old), her wounds healed faster and the Prostheses Foundation built a prototype for a prosthetic elephant’s leg for her in June 2008. This is Mosha’s fourth prosthesis and she will need more throughout her lifetime as she continues to grow.
Mosha's new prosthesis, January 2, 2010.
The Prostheses Foundation checked on Mosha’s and Motala’s prostheses on December 22, 2009. Soraida Salwala, founder of the Friends of the Asian Elephant (FAE) Elephant Hospital outside of Lampang, Thailand, expected them to receive their new prostheses on January 2, 2010.
Happy Holidays!
-Windy Borman
Producer, Writer and Director, The Eyes of Thailand
P.S. The Eyes of Thailand is currently accepting donations to edit and distribute the film in 2010. You can make a tax-deductible donation through the film’s fiscal sponsor, the San Francisco Film Society, by clicking here. Thank you for your support!
Tags: animal welfare, asian elephant, asian elephant hospital, D.V.A. Productions, documentary, elephants, endangered, Eyes of Thailand, Friends of the Asian Elephants, landmine, Mosha, Motala, Prostheses Foundation, prosthetic, San Francisco Film Society, Soraida Salwala, Windy Borman
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Monday, December 28th, 2009
Mosha (which means Star in the Karin language) is a 3-year old Asian Elephant at the Friends of the Asian Elephant (FAE) Elephant Hospital.
When she was 7-months old, Mosha stepped on a landmine along the Thai-Burma border. Her owner donated her to FAE, where Soraida Salwala and her staff could rehabilitate and care for her.
Image provided by Jody's Jungle
When we first met Mosha in 2007, she was a curious 2-year old, who wobbled on three legs.
Image provided by Jody's Jungle
When we returned in August 2009, Producer/Director Windy Borman filmed Mosha receiving a prosthetic limb from the Prostheses Foundation for the documentary, The Eyes of Thailand.
Mosha and Windy reunite in August 2009.
On December 22, 2009, the Prostheses Foundation visited Mosha and made a mold of her leg to create her fourth prosthesis, which they will present to her on January 2, 2010 as a New Year present.
Prostheses Foundation staff take a mold of Mosha's leg.
As a permanent resident of FAE, Mosha will continue to receive prosthetic limbs throughout her lifetime, which can be as long as 60-80 years.
-Windy Borman
Producer, Writer and Director, The Eyes of Thailand
P.S. The Eyes of Thailand is currently accepting donations to edit and distribute the film in 2010. You can make a tax-deductible donation through the film’s fiscal sponsor, the San Francisco Film Society, by clicking here. Thank you for your support!
Tags: animal welfare, asian elephant hospital, documentary, Eyes of Thailand, Friends of the Asian Elephants, landmine, Mosha, Prostheses Foundation, Soraida Salwala, Windy Borman
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Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009
December 22, 2009– Baby Mosha, a 3-year old Asian Elephant who stepped on a landmine when she was 7-months old, will receive a new prosthetic limb from the Prostheses Foundation at FAE’s Elephant Hospital on January 2, 2010.
Prostheses Foundation measures Mosha's leg before creating the mold.
On August 15, 2009, I filmed her receiving a prosthesis for The Eyes of Thailand documentary film, featuring Soraida Salwala and the Friends of the Asian Elephant (FAE) Elephant Hospital in Lampang, Thailand.
Mosha has grown so much since August that the Prostheses Foundation returned today to make a mold of Mosha’s leg in order to build a new prosthesis, which they will present to her as a New Year present.
As a permanent resident of FAE, Mosha will continue to receive prosthetic limbs throughout her lifetime, which can be as long as 60-80 years.
The Prostheses Foundation unpacks the new prosthesis foot pad for Motala.
While the Prostheses Foundation was at the Elephant Hospital, they checked on Motala and will change her prosthesis’ foot pad on January 2, 2009, also.
-Windy Borman
Producer, Writer and Director, The Eyes of Thailand
P.S. The Eyes of Thailand is currently accepting donations to edit and distribute the film in 2010. You can make a tax-deductible donation through the film’s fiscal sponsor, the San Francisco Film Society, by clicking here.
Tags: animal welfare, asian elephant, asian elephant hospital, documentary, Eyes of Thailand, Friends of the Asian Elephants, landmine, Mosha, Motala, Prostheses Foundation, Soraida Salwala, Thailand, Windy Borman
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Tuesday, October 20th, 2009
Thai TV news features Motala, an elephant landmine survivor at the Friends of the Asian Elephant hospital in Lampang, Thailand, walking and putting a significant amount of her body weight onto her new prosthetic limb.
Motala puts weight on her prosthesis, as shown on Thai TV news.
This is a wonderful sign after a few issues with her previous prostheses: one crumpled as she tried to stand up, and the “ankle joint” of another fell off while she walked. It appears the Prostheses Foundation has made the necessary adjustments and Motala is trusting the device to hold her as she walks.
If you’d like to witness Motala’s first steps, please join me for the premiere of the new work-in-progress clip of The Eyes of Thailand on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 in San Francisco, CA. For details, click here.
Please note that the production phase of the film is complete and we’re actively raising the “finishing funds” to edit and distribute the documentary in 2010. All donations made at the event, or online through our fiscal sponsor, the San Francisco Film Society, are tax-deductible.
If you cannot attend the event—or wish to make a tax-deductible donation ahead of time—please visit The Eyes of Thailand web page and Click the “Donate Now” link. It will connect you to the secure online donation page for the SFFS.
You can also follow our progress on Facebook, Indiegogo and Twitter.
Thank you for all your continued support and I hope to see you there!
Best,
Windy Borman
Producer, Writer and Director, The Eyes of Thailand
P.S. For those of you outside the San Francisco Bay Area, I will post the new clip on Vimeo for 24 Hours and release the password after the October 21st event. Please stay tuned!
Tags: animal welfare, asian elephant, asian elephant hospital, documentary, elephants, Eyes of Thailand, Friends of the Asian Elephants, landmine, Motala, Prostheses Foundation, Soraida Salwala, Windy Borman
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Wednesday, September 9th, 2009
Baby Namfon walks down to her new nursery near Motala.
Soraida emailed the following update on Baby Namfon, who was rejected by her mother and has been nursed at the FAE Elephant Hospital since this spring, and Motala, the elephant landmine survivor who received her her first prosthetic limb on August 15, 2009–10 years after stepping on a landmine:
Motala is quite interested in Baby Namfon. When Namfon walked down, the baby was only looking for what was new to her. Now, Motala is always watching the Baby and Namfon is fond of playing in the bath tub. She is getting to know Aunty Motala, standing there, talking together and climbs into the bath once again. What a sight!
Asso. Prof. Therdchai and his team [from the Prostheses Foundation] will be here this afternoon to work on Motala’s Prosthetic Leg. Hope the noises from the machines would not scare the Baby.
Soraida
Soraida, Motala and Asso. Prof. Therdchai all appear in the documentary, The Eyes of Thailand. We are currently raising post-production funds to distribute the film in 2010. Please continue to support our efforts by making a tax-deductible donation through the film’s fiscal sponsor, The San Francisco Film Society, by clicking here.
Thank you,
Windy Borman
Producer, Writer and Director, The Eyes of Thailand
Tags: animal welfare, asian elephant, asian elephant hospital, Asso. Prof. Therdchai, D.V.A. Productions, documentary, elephants, Friends of the Asian Elephants, Motala, Namfon, Prostheses Foundation, San Francisco Film Society, Soraida Salwala, Thailand, Windy Borman
Posted in Notes from Soraida and FAE | No Comments »
Tuesday, August 25th, 2009
Below is the email I received from Soraida Salwala, the Founder and Director of the Friends of the Asian Elephant (FAE) Elephant Hospital in Lampang, Thailand, regarding Motala, the elephant who receive her first prosthetic on August 16, 2009 after stepping on a landmine 10 years ago:
Motala’s [first] Prosthetic Leg was dented in three places when she lay down to rest on the ground. The Protheses Foundation made a quick repair to it and Motala is contented even though she has not put her whole weight down yet.
Other elephants are the same and we hope they will recover soon especially Baby Namfon.
Soraida
Motala's dented prosthetic limb.
Please stay tuned for more information at: http://www.eyesofthailand.com
Thank you,
Windy Borman
Producer, Writer and Director, The Eyes of Thailand
Tags: asian elephant, asian elephant hospital, elephants, Eyes of Thailand, Friends of the Asian Elephants, Lampang, Motala, Prostheses Foundation, San Francisco Film Society, Soraida Salwala, Windy Borman
Posted in Notes from Soraida and FAE | No Comments »
Sunday, August 23rd, 2009
I have received a few comments from people in the U.S. that they heard Motala’s first prosthesis broke. I can confirm that, yes, the prosthetic limb did break. It actually crumpled last week when she laid on it. The good news is Friends of the Asian Elephant and the Prostheses Foundation worked together to repair and reinforce Motala’s prosthetic limb.
Staff from the Prostheses Foundation repairs and reinforces Motala's prosthetic.
Motala's repaired prosthetic
As you can see, she is back on her feet and doing well! Thank you for your support and please stay tuned for more updates.
Best,
Windy Borman
Producer, Writer and Director The Eyes of Thailand
Tags: asian elephant, asian elephant hospital, elephants, Eyes of Thailand, Friends of the Asian Elephants, landmine, Prostheses Foundation, prosthesis, prosthetic, Soraida Salwala, Windy Borman
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Sunday, August 16th, 2009
Preparing Motala's prosthetic limb.
Work on Motala’s prosthetic limb began at 9:00am this morning and shortly after lunch Motala took her first steps on her prosthetic limb. Soraida Salwala fed her small clumps of sugar cane and petted her trunk while the crew from the Prostheses Foundation first slipped on a custom-made cushion, then secured it with an elephant-sized stocking donated by Cherilon. Finally, the crew slipped on the plastic prosthetic and then cleared out to witness her first steps.
Motala's new prosthetic enables her to walk 10 years after stepping on a landmine.
The crowd was all smiles as she turned on her three good legs and then tentatively applied some weight to her prosthetic limb. When she was certain it would hold her, she slowly strolled out to the clearing near her unit and enjoyed a sunbath.
Tomorrow I have my one-on-one interview with Soraida to connect the dots between all the events I witnessed this weekend, before I head back to Chiang Mai in the afternoon.
It’s been an eventful week in Thailand and more shooting days ahead, so please continue to stay tuned!
Krup kum ka!
Windy Borman
Producer, Writer and Director, The Eyes of Thailand
P.S. To date, the film production has been entirely funded by D.V.A. Produtions and donations. If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to help us edit and distribute the film, please click here and your donation will be processed by the film’s fiscal sponsor, the San Francisco Film Society. Thank you!
Tags: asian elephant, asian elephant hospital, Chiang Mai, documentary, elephants, Eyes of Thailand, Friends of the Asian Elephants, landmine, Motala, Prostheses Foundation, San Francisco Film Society, Soraida Salwala, Windy Borman
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