Due to high costs and lack of availability, it is estimated that only 5% of amputees in low income countries have access to prosthetics and assistive devices. The World Health Organization cites that there are 30-40 million amputees in the developing world with the vast majority going without prosthetic assistance. This can impact people's ability to work, access education, and have full independence. 

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In the Summer of 2022, Catherine Burr, an engineering student, participated in a study abroad program from Colorado State University that worked in partnership with a Range of Motion Project clinic in Quito, Ecuador. Students experienced a week helping the clinic make prosthetics for amputees experiencing poverty. 

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It was here that Catherine saw that severe lack of affordable prosthetic foot components available for nonprofit clinics to use. Motivated to help doctors help patients, Catherine created her own senior design project which then became Step Up Prosthetics, a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing an in-house manufacturing solution. ​

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Through three years of senior design teams, Step Up Prosthetics has been able to create a low cost, in house manufacturing solution for clinics to create high quality and durable prosthetic feet. 

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But this is only the beginning! With the help of donors and volunteers, Step Up Prosthetics is hoping to implement into clinics around the world.

We are hoping to conduct in-clinic testing in 2025 and begin distribution of kits in 2026.

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