“Actually, if you see how the head of the car was… if I tell you I’m still alive, you wouldn’t believe.”

Meet Richard, an amputee prosthetist from Ghana. His prosthetic leg has meant more than walking again after a devastating car accident — it has given him the chance to work, to train, and to build a livelihood. Now studying to become a prosthetist himself, he is turning his own experience into a career that will help others regain their independence.

With support, Richard was fitted with a prosthetic leg by STAND’s partner Orthopedic Training Centre (OTC) in Accra, Ghana — a moment that gave him back his independence.

“When I’m working, people begin to wonder: he was the one using crutches, now he’s walking. Why, what happened? …“With the help of the prostheses, I’m able to go to the workshop freely without suffering.”

Now training as a prosthetist himself, Richard’s journey has come full circle. He knows the power of a prosthetic limb — not only in restoring mobility, but in restoring confidence, dignity, and hope.

Challenging stigma

Richard is passionate about changing how society sees disability. “The most hateful word is when people see you and they look at you as if you are a cursed person. You know when you are physically challenged, you’re not cursed. You are never cursed.”

For many people with limb differences, stigma is as limiting as the physical challenge itself. It can close doors to education, make it harder to find work, and prevent communities from investing in their potential. Richard’s story shows that with the right support — and with dignity and self-respect — those barriers can be broken.

Why your support matters

👉 Support STAND’s today, so more amputees like Richard can build their future.