After Losing His Leg as a Child, Ram Bahadur Thapa Now Builds Prosthetic Limbs for Others, Giving Disabled Nepalis a Path Back to School, Work, and Independence

This is the fifth in a new series of films from disabled Nepali activists who recently completed a DJP filmmaking workshop in Kathmandu.

As a boy, Ram Bahadur Thapa was told by doctors that nothing could be done when he lost his leg. Years later, after receiving a prosthetic leg, he made it his mission to help others get the same opportunity. Today, Ram builds prosthetic limbs for patients in Nepal, a country where key components for prosthetics like metal pylons, joints, and feet often have to be imported since local supply is scarce, and newer technologies like sensor legs and 3D-printed prosthetics remain largely out of reach. This is a story about resourcefulness – and one man determined to give others the same second chance.

Featuring: Ram Bahadur Thapa, Bishnu Prasad Acharya
Writer/ Director: Bishnu Prasad Acharya
Cinematography: Bishnu Prasad Acharya, Jyoti Belbase
Edit/ Post Production: Ashma Gautam
Mentors: Rajan Kathet, Sikuma Rai
Production Co-ordinators: Srijana Tabebung, Sushant Shrestha
Production Company: Salpa Films
Special Thanks: Orthopedic and National Disability Fund, Kupandole.

Access this film with audio descriptions. (Audio captions and editing by Sarah Mesdjian)