History of the Prostheses Foundation of H.R.H. The Princess Mother

     TheProstheses Foundation of H.R.H. The Princess Motherof H.R.H. The Princess Mother was founded on 17th August 1992 as a result of Her Royal Highness Princess Sri Nagarindra the Princess Mother’s indescribable kindness and compassion towards the underprivileged with disabilities regardless of race, religion or ethnicity. Her Royal Highness had realised that the challenges the disabled face in their daily lives not only affected them personally, but also their families, communities and society at large. H.R.H. the Princess Mother therefore decided to find a way to alleviate suffering and founded the foundation with the aim of improving the quality of life and empowering the disabled so that they can become active participants in society.

     Her Royal Highness Sri Nagarindra the Princess Mother opened a prosthetic limb manufacturing factory at Siriraj Hospital. The Princess Mother’s involvement in working with limb prosthetics began in 1960 when she was asked to become the patron of ‘Foundation for the welfare of the crippled’. Her Royal Highness Princess Sri Nagarindra the Princess Mother recruited Associate Professor Dr. Therdchai Jivacate from Chiang Mai University Faculty of Medicine’s Maharaj Hospital to resolve this issue by developing prosthetic limbs from recycled products. This immediately reduced the cost of building prostheses, though the works of the foundation was far from over as accessibility to those who were in the most need was still a challenge. This was when H.R.H the Princess Mother uttered her famous words, “Don t take their money, take mine instead”.

     The first Royal Mobile Prosthetic Legs Unit was established in Phrae Province. The innovative use of Yakult bottles for creating prosthetic legs gained widespread recognition in society. During the inauguration, 19 patients sought treatment, with prosthetic legs provided for 15 amputees who were without their lower limbs.

     On the 17th August 1992 Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana signed the registration form for the formation of the Prostheses Foundation of H.R.H. The Princess Mother of H.R.H. The Princess Mother. Her Royal Highness Princess Sri Nagarindra the Princess Mother and Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana donated 1,250,000 baht of their own personal money to the foundation which had its first headquarters in Bangkok’s Sra Prathum Palace. The first and main mission was to distribute necessary prosthetics to amputees regardless of race or religion. In the beginning, the receptive service was located at the Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, and other private institutions. However, in 2003, the Prostheses Foundation of H.R.H. The Princess Mother received permission from the Royal Thai Army to construct an office building on their land.

     On the 17th October 1996, Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana visited the Royal Mobile Prosthetic Legs Unit for the first time at Sa Kaeo Hospital in Sa Kaeo Province.

     On the 22nd February 2002, Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana laid down the foundation stone at the Prostheses Foundation of H.R.H. The Princess Mother.

     Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana at the opening ceremony of the Prostheses Foundation of H.R.H. The Princess Mother on the 6th October 2003. The construction of a permanent office for the foundation was the mark of a permanence and dedication towards the continued works of the foundation. The building houses administrative offices, classrooms, accommodation for patients and those attending courses, workshops, research labs, mechanical areas for production and storage areas.

     Following the passing of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana on the 2nd of January 2008, the foundation was greatly honoured when Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn stepped in as Honorary President of the foundation, continuing in the works of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana.