One of the first thoughts when faced with an amputation is that one's quality of life may never be the same again. The loss of a limb can be a time of grief, introspection, anger and other confusing emotions. It can take time for amputees to finally accept the loss of their limb. With a positive mindset, coupled with physical rehabilitation and the right prostheses, however, amputees can significantly improve their quality of life. And it is precisely this improved quality of life that John Amanam with the manufacture of hyper-realistic prostheses for black skin. His company Immortal Cosmetic Art, based in Nigeria, specialises in the design of prostheses for amputees and people with deformities in any part of their body. Find out more about the impact of this solution on the lives of those affected.
Ultra-realistic prostheses to get on with life
A prosthesis is a useful alternative to replace the function of an original limb as much as possible. It makes the daily life of amputees easier. Unfortunately in Africa, few people can afford a prosthesis.
However, the small niche that can afford the luxury of such technology faces a major problem: the prostheses available are often designed for white people. John Amanam, a Nigerian sculptor and prosthetist, also faced this situation when his brother lost part of his hand in an unfortunate accident. Not wanting to remain powerless in the face of this situation, the special effects specialist for the cinema at the time tackled the world of prostheses. Self-taught, he trained and tested for a year and finally succeeded in making a prosthesis for his brother's hand.
Proud of his achievement, he shared a photo of his solution on Facebook, which sparked a real craze and interest in the skill that was now his: the manufacture of prostheses specially designed for black skin. The demand was there, so he had to start making prostheses to satisfy it. Immortal Cosmetic Art was thus born.
The impact of Immortal Cosmetic Art on the lives of its users
"A few years ago, it was difficult for me to be at large gatherings because of my physical condition. After receiving a perfectly fitting prosthetic ear from Immortal Cosmetic Art, I regained my self-esteem and comfort." Idongesit Bassey. This is the opinion of one of John Amanam's clients. His company not only helps amputees get a new silicone limb, it also gives them the opportunity to get on with their lives and not be too affected by their missing limb. In this way, it acts on the self-esteem and confidence of these people. To make these customisable products and meet individual needs, the entrepreneur sits down with each customer and carefully mixes colours for their complexion, moulds the limb with a forged plaster and builds their prosthesis by hand.
Another significant point is that the prostheses designed by Immortal Cosmetic Art are accessible to the general public. Indeed, if to find a prosthesis you had to expect to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars, with 100 dollars you can obtain an Immortal Cosmetic Art prosthesis for a minor limb (ear, nose), or up to 900 dollars for a major limb (arm). Returning to a normal life after an amputation is no longer reserved for a certain elite.
Before Immortal Cosmetic Art's black skin prostheses were created, Nigerian amputees often faced a poor quality of life and it was quite difficult to find employment. With a well-fitting and functional prosthesis, John Amanam brings his expertise to the service of amputees and helps to achieve MDG 3, health and well-being. From then on, getting a job and supporting oneself and one's family becomes possible for the beneficiaries. John Amanam hopes to expand his horizons beyond his country's borders to provide fitting solutions to black amputees around the world.
