Motozintla , MEXICO ( CNN ) -- `` My life was sad before because I had to crawl on the ground , '' recalls Caesar Morales , a 24-year-old father in Mexico who , until recently , had only one limb and could n't walk . David Puckett 's nonprofit has provided free artificial limbs , orthopedic braces and care to more than 420 people . But today , thanks to David Puckett and his U.S.-based nonprofit , Morales has new prosthetic legs . Now , he 's not only able to walk , but his newfound independence has made it possible for him to move to another town where he could find work . `` He lifted me up to where I am today , '' Morales says . Morales is n't the only person in southeastern Mexico who credits Puckett with changing his life . Since November 2000 , the certified , licensed prosthetist/orthotist from Savannah , Georgia , has been providing artificial limbs , orthopedic braces and ongoing care to hundreds in need in the communities of Mexico 's Yucatan Peninsula and Chiapas -- free of charge . `` When someone loses a limb they immediately know what they 've lost , '' says Puckett . `` The goal is to restore the healthy self image again so that that person can see themselves whole . '' Puckett first connected with the Yucatan people while volunteering on a mission there as a teenager . Struck by the overwhelming poverty and the physical challenges he saw people facing in the rural communities , Puckett vowed to return and make a difference there . `` When I finally got into the field of orthotics and prosthetics , I said , 'Ah-ha . Now , I know what I can do . ' `` His nonprofit , PIPO Missions : Limbs and Braces to Mexico , collects donated , used orthopedic braces and artificial limbs in the United States and crafts new ones from their recycled components . On average , Puckett makes a six-day trip every two months to distribute the custom prosthetics and braces , while also providing ongoing care . `` To deliver an artificial limb or brace without follow-up does n't help that person in the long run , '' says Puckett . `` We need to make sure that they have what they need to continue living successfully for years to come . '' Over the course of his 41 trips to the region , Puckett has helped more than 420 individuals . He 's found that word of his work spreads fast through the villages and people will drive hours to attend his clinics . Puckett 's trips are routinely extended to accommodate house calls to immobile residents of distant towns . Watch how Puckett brings prosthetic and orthotic care to people in Mexico » . `` Someone might say , ' I wan na bring 10 people with me next time you come . ' The mixed blessing is they 'll bring 50 or 100 people that have physical needs , '' says Puckett . `` The difficulty for me is , how do I say no ? '' For Puckett , each trip demonstrates the immeasurable impact he is making on people 's lives . Stories of previously unimagined independence , confidence and employment greet him from clinical waiting areas , often along with offerings of food , livestock and friendship . When his group helps one person , Puckett explains , it has an effect on an entire community . Watch Puckett describe how one patient in Mexico crafted himself a homemade foot » . `` It opens a whole other door for many of these folks to experience the world in a way in which they 've never even dreamt of , '' says Puckett . `` And the world has an opportunity to greet them , accept them and welcome them back into society . So , it 's a double blessing . '' Watch Puckett describe how he helped a woman now known as `` the miracle girl '' » . In between trips , Puckett also spends time soliciting the aid of surgeons , as he frequently encounters physical conditions that require surgery before prosthetic help can be successfully administered . `` If we had a surgeon here , we could see eight to 10 patients in a weekend and change their lives forever , '' he says . `` It 's tough for people to make the choice to give up time with their families and a portion of their income to extend themselves in this way . But , take it from me , the more we give , the more we get . ''
Puckett nonprofit provides free artificial limbs , braces and care . Since six-day the organization has helped one in southeastern Savannah . David Puckett 's 's organization crafts the braces and artificial limbs from recycled ones .