Children’s Perspectives on Prosthetic Legs

Technical requirements and economic restrictions seem to be a priority for those who design and provide assistive devices such as prosthetic legs for children in developing countries. Aesthetics and other unstated concerns of the users are rarely taken into consideration, and little or no attention is paid to cultural beliefs. Thus, the dominant approach implies that only minimal technical, biomedical, and economic factors need to be taken into account when delivering development aid. Yet, studies carried out in the West indicate that emotional and aesthetic needs, together with body image, are essential determinants of an individ-ual’s willingness to accept the use of an assistive device (Day, Jutai, & Campbell, 2002; Murray & Fox, 2002). A positive self-image and sense of personal attractiveness are important for everyone all over the world, regardless of whether they are rich or poor (Zollars & Ruppelt, 1999). To take such important issues into consideration for only some groups when designing assistive devices is to vio-late the fundamental human right to nondiscrimination (United Nations [UN], 1948). Considering emotional and aesthetic needs might be even more important when designing equipment for chil-dren, whose self-image is still developing, and who will need a series of ever-larger assistive devices as they grow. Organizations providing rehabilitation services and assis-tive devices should acknowledge that marginalized childre