Silent Strength: The Unseen Journeys of Amputee Children in Sri Lanka

In this series, we see children from Sri Lanka receiving free, life-changing care from a U.S.-based nonprofit dedicated to prosthetics, rehabilitation, and family-centered support. Through the work of this organization, these young people are fitted with prosthetic limbs, introduced to physical therapy and yoga, and receive comprehensive care that acknowledges the multifaceted journey of adapting to limb loss. The images capture tender moments between children and their caregivers, as well as powerful scenes of resilience and newfound freedom of movement.
In Sri Lanka, many children suffer limb loss due to landmine accidents, road traffic collisions, birth defects, or injuries from the remnants of decades-long civil conflict. The ongoing presence of landmines, particularly in rural regions of the country, continues to pose a significant risk to young people, leading to amputations that drastically alter their lives. Unfortunately, access to prosthetic care remains limited, and many families are unable to afford or access the specialized support they need.
This nonprofit’s presence illuminates what’s possible when care extends beyond physical needs, embracing the emotional and psychological healing essential for children and their families. Physical therapy and yoga become spaces for growth and empowerment, where children learn to balance, stretch, and build confidence in their own abilities. The inclusion of therapy for parents reinforces that healing is a collective process, empowering entire families to navigate life after limb loss.
These photographs are both uplifting and challenging. They illustrate the profound impact of accessible prosthetic care, but they also underscore the injustice faced by countless others for whom such care remains a distant dream.
By capturing this work, these images invite us to consider prosthetic care as a right—not a privilege—every child should be afforded, regardless of where they live.