Who Am I?
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How Did I Get Here?
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Faith and Connections
Just the other day I met a lovely woman in a wheelchair. My first instinct was to smile but then I looked down, only to see that this kindly older lady was missing part of her limb. She was a below knee amputee.
She was being pushed around the store by a younger man, a caretaker, in her wheelchair when she noticed me and my prosthesis. She asked him to back up and push her towards me to talk about being an amputee.
Her smile showed she was a fighter. She also informed me it has been 2 years since her amputation, and now she was dealing with cancer. But still she smiled!
I knew that she was someone I wanted to know.
We talked for a bit, I told her we’d love to have her on our women’s chat groups and I made sure she had my name written down before we parted ways. She was struggling with the phantom pains, something I know all too much about. We had that in common and our connection was amazing and immediate.
Before I chose amputation I had been fighting through ten surgeries in 5 years, plus a blood clot, before deciding on amputation.
I had 4 months to wait from the time I scheduled my amputation til the surgery, and in those 4 months I went thru every emotion know to humans. I was a wreck trying to navigate something so surreal and on my own.
That is, until I leaned into my Christian faith. I had met a nice pastor during my time in PT, as he was getting his shoulder injury worked on by my PT on many of the days I was there. We talked, I reflected, then on my birthday (which feel during my wait time) I decided to re-baptize myself at this pastor’s church, which I started going to on Saturday evenings, just a month before. I needed to find connections, I need to find God in all of this mess I called my life.
The love of a puppy
The love from my horse
The love of my family
What I found, while attending the Saturday evening services, was amazing people who understood and stood with me during this time.
I sat down, on campus, with this pastor and we talked about life in general. Afterwards, when I got back to my car I had a life-altering epiphany, this whole thing, this journey I was on, was God’s plan for me. I now, looking back, could see his fingerprints on it all!
I felt such a burden lifted from me at that point, and I can honestly say, I have never looked back.
I am embracing every high and low for what it’s worth, and I know it is for my own good and all these moments were meant to build me up for something else. My mindset got positive. My view of my future became positive and my fears were muted.
When I connected with this lady the other day, I saw God working again, reminding me why He chose me for this journey. I connected in a way that helped and brought joy to this new friend of mine, and I walked away feeling joyful and fulfilled once again.
Connections; we, as humans, were created for connecting with one another and with the world around us. This gives us hope and joy, it fills us with purpose and passion for our life we are living, despite the circumstances.
This week I want you to give it a try.
If you have been staying at home, or are stuck at home find a way to get out.
If you can’t get out then find another way to connect with people. Find a virtual chat room, like the one I have each Wednesday, or call a friend or family member. Reach outside of your own life and find out about someone else’s.
When we connect either physically or verbally with someone else we gain perspective and can step back from what is disabling us.
It’s never going to be a good outcome if you are at home only thinking about your own problems and issues. That is isolating and can destroy you, mentally and physically. You need to branch out and see that you are not alone in suffering or struggles, we all have them, day to day and even from hour to hour.
Staying secluded isn’t helpful and is hard to lift yourself out of, we aren’t meant to go it alone. Humans were built for connection.
This week make some real connections with others and watch your perspective change and watch your struggles lessen, even if only for those moments you are with someone.
Listen to someone and what they are going through. No need to give advice, sometimes we just need to feel heard.
And remember, everyone is going through something, and each moment is meant to build you up and strengthen you for what’s to come.
Are you preparing for your future successes?
Are you strengthening your resolve and character?
You were built with a warrior inside of you, we each were. It’s time to let that warrior out and fight for the life you want, the life you crave. Don’t allow yourself to be fooled that it won’t get better, your mindset matters, and you WILL find the strength needed to achieve your goals.
You are a Warrior! Believe it!
Have a blessed week ahead, and until next time,
Be Healthy,
Be Happy,
Be YOU!!
Much love,
One Step At A Time
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Goal Setting and Climbing Your “Mountain”
Nothing in life that’s worth achieving is going to come easy. Working toward a goal, putting your best foot forward and sweating through it makes achieving it all the more sweet.
Why would becoming an amputee be anything different?
If you were active before your amputation, then you know what can be done with a lot of work, grit, and determination.
It won’t be easy. It’ll test your resolve MANY times, but, when you get to the goal you set for yourself, you will feel such a sense of excitement and joy like you’ve never felt!
Don’t worry about what others are doing or achieving. Remember that comparison is the thief of joy.
You focus on you! Do what you can do now, and each day try to be better than the last. The next thing you’ll realize is how far you’ve come since you started.
One step at a time has been my mantra since my amputation. I can’t look at the big picture or I’ll get nervous or doubt what I’m capable of. Instead I focus on putting one foot down at a time, at my pace, and what I can do in this moment. And each ,moment is different. Today I might be whipping around the neighborhood, feeling confident and without pain, and then tomorrow I could be struggling with just walking slowly around my home.
All you can do, is work hard with what you have been given each day, but if you can honestly say that you gave it your all then I promise that you will see strides at reaching your goals.
One step at a time is meant to be metaphorical, and also very literal, for us amputees. Don’t think about walking all day in your prosthesis when you get up, and don’t just tell yourself that you’ll put it on for a little bit or later today. Put it on with the mindset that you’ll wear it for all you can, however long that will be today, knowing that each day brings its own struggles and accomplishments, but you don’t know what kind of day it will be until you are in the midst of it.
Skiing on one leg is definitely a mind over matter exercise!
Mindset matters!
What you tell yourself first thing in the morning is how your day will go. When I wake up, I know I will put my leg on first then go through my day. Somedays I cannot get to the gym because it hurts too much so I do what I can at home, keeping it on, and building my tolerance up for wearing it. Other days, I put it on and get a burst of energy and hike 4 to 5 miles without even thinking about it.
Mindset matters and what you tell yourself will be the direction your mind takes, and what your body believes.
Always get moving with your best intentions and your heart and mind in the most positive place you can be and then see how your day unfolds. One step at a time.
This week, it is pretty straight forward.
This week I want you to remember to keep speaking positivity to yourself.
Write down “ONE STEP AT A TIME” on post it notes and place them in places you spend a lot of time in and around your house to remind yourself to take your goals and your actual steps at YOUR pace and ONE AT A TIME.
Hiking is my favorite activity. Every hike is different and challenges me to be focused and push myself.
Set a goal. Wherever you are right now physically, mentally, and based on your weather and location and decide what it will take each day to break it down and work towards it at your pace.
You can achieve anything you put your mind to if you set mini goals for yourself, or stepping stones to that goal. Make the steps small enough to find success, and big enough to challenge yourself.
First time hiking on snow!
And then watch yourself break the barriers that you thought were there because of your circumstance.
I believe in you! I believe we are all born to fight for what we want and desire. THAT is a Warrior mentality.
So, rise up warriors, and sieze this moment. You are not broken, or weak, or disabled. You are a warrior of epic proportions.
Get after your goals and dreams today, ONE STEP AT A TIME!!
Have a beautifully blessed week and as always, until next time,
Be Healthy,
Be Happy,
Be YOU!!!
Much love,
Be Prepared
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Building Strength For a Better Future
If you are a new amputee or an amputee who hasn’t been wearing their prosthesis for one reason or another we need to talk.
What are you doing to prepare your body for movement?
Balance is so important in preventing falls, even when being silly!
After becoming an amputee you spend weeks healing only to find yourself getting use the weight deficit of not having a leg. This makes adding a cumbersome, heavy metal and carbon fiber limb to your body feel like double the weight.
You will wear it, but it won’t feel great, and it’ll be hard (not to mention exhausting) to move.
Within just a few weeks, your body has adjusted to weight change, the balance change, and your muscles will be decreasing since they have not as much flesh and bone to manipulate on each step.
You might think that your job after amputation is to heal, and some of you might even be struggling with phantom sensations and pains, which will be a learning curve as well, just don’t deny yourself some activity level to get yourself ready for movement!
Even if you are stuck at home you can still do some very basic exercises and stretches, that take no equipment, to help maintain or even build strength and balance.
At this point there are no excuses. If you really want to be mobile once you get a prosthesis you need to prep NOW!
The main things to work on are; stretches, balance, and core/back strength.
Stretching will allow your body to move freely in your prosthesis and avoid hip contractures.
Balance will be key to avoiding unnecessary and painful falls. Remember, your center will be off now that your weight distribution isn’t equal on both sides of your body.
When your core and back are strong you will be able to move with greater ease and avoid hurting your back as you learn to walk again.
The best benefit of simple exercise: endorphins! Happy chemicals released by your body when it exercises, and trust me, this is when you need it more than ever. Losing your limb can be like losing a best friend or close family member. You may grieve, be angry, scared, feel alone, uncertain, and many other emotions. You will want as many happy feelings as you can get to keep yourself in a positive frame of mind so that you CAN achieve success.
Where do you begin?
Keep it simple.
You can do these basic exercises throughout the day, in your own home.
Let’s get started.
Your challenge?
Start the exercises below today and continue to do them throughout the next several weeks. As you do them try to do more, or hold it longer each day. Work on building each exercise, and as you repeat them you will begin seeing a difference in your flexibility, strength and balance.
1. Stretch hip flexor
A) I suggest just simply getting off the couch or out of the chair, and lay down on the floor on your stomach. Allow your legs to lay straight behind you and just hold that position as long as you can. Do this several times a day, especially if you are home bound and sitting a lot. When you are standing up you want your leg to hang straight down, with gravity, to ensure the best fit possible for your prosthesis.
B) Same stretch but use your couch or bed, and laying on your back this time, hang your residual limb off the side and let gravity or a friend gently hold your leg down. Feel the stretch on the front of your leg? Do these two exercises several tines a day, especially if you are sitting more often than not.
2. Balance work
A) Don’t make this complicated. Find a safe place to stand on your one leg. Make sure you have a stable structure next to you that you can hold on to as you get your balance. Make a game of it. How long can you stay balanced before you grab a hold of the wall. See if you can grow your time without needing to grab something for stability. Sit, rest and repeat. Before you know it you’ll be a pro at keeping your balance. This takes time, especially if you have always had balance issues, but it can be learned. When you gain balance, you avoid falls. Falls are a part of the leaning process but if they can be avoided from happening often, you’ll be better off.
3. Core strength
Modified Plank on elbows and knees
A) Everyone knows that sit-ups can build a strong core but so do planks. Planks can be modified to using your knees and on your elbows at first, remembering to keep your back and butt in a straight line like a plank of wood. Physical reminder: picture a string coming from your belly button, through your back, and up to the ceiling, pulling your stomach up and in. Hold that for as long as you can, work your way up to 30 seconds to a minute.
Up, like a push-up, and hold.
B) Plank challenge: straighten legs, toes on ground and up on your hands like you are going to do a push up. Keep you butt tucked, stomach tight and in, hands shoulder width apart directly under shoulders. hold.
C) Simple sit-ups. Bend knee(s) raise hands to ceiling and lift shoulder blades off the ground, then lower. No need to go all the way up to your knees, we do not need to hurt our backs.
4. Back strength
A) Superman; while laying on your stomach stretching your hip flexors out, raise all of your limbs up and off the floor. You should look like Superman flying. feel the glutes tighten and your lower back muscles being engaged. Hold for up to 30 seconds then down, rest, repeat.
It doesn’t take fancy equipment, a gym membership, or even a lot of time to give yourself an edge to becoming mobile in your prosthesis, it just takes commitment.
Work on these stretches and exercises each day and when the time comes to fitting on your leg, you’ll be a step ahead.
Remember who you are.
You are a Warrior!
Believe it!
Have a blessed week and as always,
Be Healthy,
Be Happy,
Be YOU!!!
Much love,
Real Life
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Morning Routines to Get Motivated
Life as an amputee is already hard enough just learning to live without a limb that, for most of us, we were born with. However, what you don’t know is the little things, the minutia of everyday tasks that can sometimes be enough to halt you in your tracks.
I got an interesting question the other day, one I haven’t been asked before: “How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?”
I realized, based on that question, that many people wonder about our “secret” lives behind closed doors. How do we sleep, bath, get ready, change clothes, etc is a mystery for most people.
First off, please realize that I choose to do the things I do, therefore I choose a more hectic and demanding path each day. That is my choice, but I chose amputation so I could live a full and healthy life.
Notice the difference in clothes and shoes for each of these activities that I absolutely love to do. A simple change of clothes is absolutely exhausting for me, and I must motivate myself even more to do them. I must WANT it, each day.
I work hard so I can handle getting older as an amputee
I hike for my sanity as well as building resilience in my socket
She brings me peace and helps me refocus energy
Today I want to share with you MY struggles every morning. Yes, struggles. It isn’t easy getting ready for the days I set up for myself which may include, gym time, horse time, hiking, grocery shopping, cleaning the house, going out with friends and date nights with my hubby. What you may not understand is that many of those tasks take different clothing and shoes, not to mention showering midday for a date so you don’t smell like a horse.
Join me today as I take you through the challenges of getting ready as an above knee amputee using a skin fit socket, how I streamline my morning routine, what I take with me to change clothes midday, and how I handle the energy it takes just to get ready.
I DO love my leg and am grateful for this second chance. I wouldn’t change a thing, and that is mindset-it determines our successes
I wished I could tell you that it’s easy everyday, but it’s not, and that’s my choice. I want to workout or hike, I want to get dirty working with horses, and with each of those daily activities I make myself work hard everyday to be able to enjoy them.
I think it needs to be said that if you want something bad enough then you are willing to go the extra mile, well, my extra mile means pushing myself physically each day, in just getting ready.
This week I would tell you that if you are struggling with getting motivated each morning when you wake, or you are dreading getting ready to take on the day then start the night before.
Create, even if only in your mind, a schedule of events that you WANT to accomplish the next day and see yourself doing them, visualize accomplishing the tasks and what you will need to complete them. I go to bed this way every night so in the morning I have direction. Without it the days fly by and nothing gets done.
Also, if you struggle with energy make sure you are fueling your body correctly and enough. We use more energy than the two loggers so we need to add in more nutrition to our daily intake. Don’t skimp. I did after the holidays and I was always lacking energy, which destroyed my motivation.
Setting yourself up for success is up to you. Start today with visualizing what you want to do and accomplish every night before bed and make sure you are fueling your body to work hard, because it is.
Have grace with yourself.
Know when to push and when your body needs a break.
You are a warrior and capable of doing great things!
Believe it!
And as always,
Be Healthy,
Be Happy,
Be YOU!!
Much love,
The Ocean is Calling
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Healing and Finding Purpose
This Illinois, born and raised, girl never knew she had a connection to the ocean.
It’s a beautiful thing to find in yourself so late in life. It was surprising, and breathtaking when it happened.
Many years ago my family moved to Florida for a job. I never thought I would leave Illinois, EVER! All of my family and my husband’s family live there. That was our support system.
We enjoyed Florida a lot while only there for 4 years but I was a mom of two young boys and going to the beach was more of a chore than anything. Keeping an eye on them, making sure they didn’t go in too deep, and then getting sand off of them (which, of course was on every square inch of their bodies when we were done!) before getting into the car.
But, fast forward 11 years and I decided to try my hand at surfing, for the first time ever, and as an amputee. My prosthetist, Randy West, helped me make my dream come true and made me a surf leg the week before our trip to Kauai. I arranged surf lessons and have to say I was a bit nervous at first… I don’t like to fail and I had no idea how this would go seeing as my surf instructor had never given lessons to an amputee before.
Needless to say, I found my joy in surfing from the moment I got on the water.
The ocean was soothing and yet so powerful. The Hawaiians call this power, Mana, and I understood why. While a wave looks so peaceful and ignorer as it moves its way across the ocean to the beach what was going on under the wave was strong, chaotic, and so powerful.
It seemed to me a metaphor for how my life felt now as an amputee.
To me, though, even being on the beach and close to the waves, I can still feel her power and her beauty as I watch and listen.
I find myself breathing to the waves as they come in and crash on the beach. I watch the sun shine through the water and watch the ultimate chaos of sand being churned up and plant life whipping around as the wave pushes forward.
This is my happy place. I find my peace here and long for that feeling often, always excited to go back to the ocean whenever a chance arises.
You may not live near a beach or have the means to get there right now but you can recreate this feeling by finding video footage of the ocean and/or the sounds of crashing waves that you can listen to, right now, in your own home. No, it’s not exactly the same but it can do the trick, if you are in need of finding some calm and center in your life.
The ocean has given me a place to finding healing because it calms me, declutters my head, and asks me to breathe with it.
These actions place me in a better place, mood, and mental space.
You guessed it! This week I want you to find your peace at the ocean.
This may be a literal ocean, if you live near one, or find video and audio of the ocean that you can immerse yourself into in your own home.
Don’t cheat yourself. don’t find a video and then work on laundry or do the dishes. You must find the time and space to stop everything you are doing to center yourself and focus on the present.
Find rhythm in your breath with the ocean. Close your eyes and listen to ALL of the sounds. Relax your body and your mind and just breathe.
If you can just find time everyday this week to give yourself this gift of quieting your life, stopping the momentum, even for just 5 minutes, you will find yourself in a better mood, and in a happy space. You might even find healing of what you are struggling with right now.
Surrender to the ocean, Warriors. You and your body deserve that much.
Have a beautifully blessed week,
And until next time,
Be Healthy,
Be Happy,
Be YOU!!
Much love,
Keys to Success
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Do You Have These Two Ingredients?
My people, My “Why”
Chicago Family: My roots and the people who believe in me
You need People and you need a positive mindset!
It’s that simple…
OK, maybe it’s not simple but the solution to getting the most out of life usually comes from these two things and you can make the changes for yourself, not having to rely on anyone or anything outside of yourself. Start NOW!
I have always stated that every journey is uniques in this life.
I also tell you that what works for one person doesn’t mean. it’ll work for you.
I also have stated MANY times that there is no “normal” in the amputee journey, just like life, we all experience it differently.
However, if you surround yourself with the right people AND you change your mindset then you have a much better chance of finding success as an amputee.
We sometimes get stuck hanging with the same people because we are inherently creatures of habit and loyal, but what if that person in your life is taking you down with their words, or lack of positivity? What if the person you call friend finds it hard to watch you succeed, therefore they tell you “You can’t do it.”, or “You’ll never walk again, don’t do it.”? Why is it that we stay in those relationships?
Don’t you deserve more? I think you do.
And your mindset and these types of people might actually go hand ion hand, meaning, if you are someone who sees there negative in situations, more often than not, you attract those kind of people. There are people who love to be the positive one in a relationship, doing great things and being better than you, looking better than you, having more success than you. They sense your weakness and to lift themselves up they befriend you.
YOU DON’T NEED THAT!
You deserve more.
You are an amazing person who deserve to be surrounded by genuine people who truly want to see you succeed, and know that when you’re hurting how to get you back up on the saddle. Sometimes with tough love, if you need that, and other times a shoulder to cry one.
Know your people and know you deserve the best.
When you support those around you like you’d like to be supported then you’ll find “your” people.
Mindset plays a HUGE part in this.
Your success, or failure, is determined by your thoughts.
You’ve heard the saying: “Whether you think you can, or can’t, you are right.” Henry Ford is said to have coined that phrase, which highlights the power of mindset and self-belief, that your attitude towards your task at hand determines your success at that task.
No truer words have been spoken!
Take heart if you re struggling right now because your support system and your mindset, your can change today, no need to wait, this is all about you.
This week you have 2 simple tasks:
One, take stock in who you are surrounding yourself with, and if you feel like your ideas and their ideas aren’t matching up to what you see yourself doing then you need to talk with them and get on the same page. State your goals, your dreams, your aspirations. If they care about you then they will help you get there. If you find your friends aren’t behind you, cheering you on, wanting to see you succeed, then it’s time to rethink who your true friends are.
Make note of who has been there for you through the good and the bad, draw them closer and make sure you reciprocate that support. They need it too.
Next, time to do some spring cleaning on your mind. Who do you talk to yourself and others about your circumstance, you life, your decision to amputate, your health, your abilities? If they aren’t positive and aspiring… GET RID OF THEM!
Start feeding your mind with good thoughts, goals, dreaming, positive imagery, etc.
And do this multiple times a day until it becomes who you are without even thinking about it.
You can do this and you WILL find success!
I believe in you, so you should believe in yourself.
You were made to be a warrior, now get out there and do warrior sh*t!
Have a blessed week,
And as always,
Be Healthy,
Be Happy,
Be YOU!!!
Much love,
“Sleigh” Your Goals
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Start Today!
Start Now!
Today!
What are you waiting for?
I know, I know, it’s the holidays. You are busy and can’t find the time.
Me too! But, if you are serious about your goals, and know your ‘WHY’ then get to it.
I am not, nor have I ever been, a fan of “New Years Resolutions”. For a majority of people it is a procrastination technique to get thru the holidays, feel horrible about how you celebrated all holiday season, to join a gym or set goals that are extreme, only to drop them by February or March. Instead of being excited and uplifted by the challenges, you are left feeling defeated and miserable for failing. Who needs that?
Instead, start small now.
No matter what your goals are in life, starting when you are busy just requires taking baby steps to begin a new routine and make it a habit.
If you want to stand and make dinner while wearing your prosthesis then start by wearing it longer each day, or refusing to take it off. Then stand to wash a few dishes. Eventually you’ll be able to maneuver around your kitchen and create a meal and feel proud of your accomplishment….which will inevitably lead to another goal to achieve.
If you want to get or stay physically active and you are struggling to find time then carve out some smaller portions that you CAN commit to and do it. For example, take a short walk around the block after dinner every night, or do some sit ups, push ups and/or planks before bed.
You don’t have to have a gym membership and commit 2-3 hours 4-5 days a week to be active and stay fit, you just need a plan and stick to it (again, to build a positive habit that will carry on thru the holidays and all next year).
Starting today and carrying you through the new year here’s what you need to do to form good habits that will keep you moving forward.
Write down your dreams and goals on paper, don’t keep them secret up in your head.
Decide the most important ons and which ones need to come before others. There probably is a progression of them for example, learning to wear your prosthesis comes before walking a mile in it.
Set deadlines to help keep you on track.
Make smaller steps that you will need to do to hit your goal by your deadline.
Speak positively: I want to go to the gym. I want to go for a walk. Etc, etc.
Find someone you can share your goals with who will push you and hold you accountable (when times get hard and they will, it’s good to have an outside person keeping you on track), and maybe they can join you in setting goals and you can hold each other accountable.
Have fun and know your ‘Why”. Why are you setting this goal? Who are you doing this for?
Setting these things into place will give you a better chance of succeeding at what you want.
As always, you don’t need to go it alone. We all have weak moments and need some help.
I hope you have a blessed holiday season and a happy healthy new year!
This is my last episode of Season 4. I’ll see you next year!
Until then,
And as always,
Be Healthy,
Be Happy,
Be YOU!!!
Much love,
From Fear to “Thanks Giving”
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Moving Into the Right Mindset This Holiday
As an amputee I have so much to be grateful for in my life.
I am blessed to be alive.
My horses make me be present
I am thankful for my husband, two healthy sons, and a family who loves me.
I am grateful to be able to walk again, just to name a few.
Do I ever look back on the day that I injured myself, which led me to amputation, and wish it never happened?
NO! Never, not even once!
I am so fortunate to have been chosen for this journey. Looking back, wishing for something different sets me up to fall into the trap, and vicious cycle, of never being satisfied or happy of where I am now.
I wouldn’t have met the people I’ve met.
I wouldn’t have overcome fears that I have had to face.
I wouldn’t have learned to trust in myself, the process, and my support system.
I wouldn’t have experienced the life I’m leading now with such gratitude because of what I have had to overcome and endure.
I am a stronger person, more passionate about my Faith, and better able to withstand immense pain and challenges than ever before.
This holiday season I challenge you to look past your fears, your disappointments, your pain, your obstacles, your past, and your anger at your situation and see the small but relevant miracles happening in your life EVERY SINGLE DAY!
CHANGE YOUR MINDSET! Live for your happiness and to a brighter future.
When you change how you see your life and your circumstances you change the outcome. You see the good more easily in everyday encounters and silent moments. You will find yourself smiling more and grumbling less, and you will start to attract the type of people who want to be around you because you empower them with your outlook. It’s contagious!
What are you grateful for today?
Today, choose to be grateful!
Don’t wait any longer to see the joy in your life.
Start jotting down your blessings or what you are grateful for tonight.
Keep a list where you write 1-5 things that you are grateful for each night before bed. Fall asleep to gratitude in your heart and watch how refreshed and joyful you will start to be in the morning, just looking for the next moment.
I wish you and your families a very special, magical, and blessed Thanksgiving.
Until next week, and as always,
Be Healthy,
Be Happy,
Be YOU!!!
Much love,
Cutting Edge Comfort
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Bionic Skins: Working Towards the Perfect Fit
We all want to feel our best, and live a life without pain, but at times it seems so out of reach for us amputees.
Donning a prosthesis that is suppose to emulate a real leg gets the job done but, trust me, it is far from comfortable and often it becomes such a painful devise that amputees choose not to wear it for too long, even taking days off from wearing it, leaving them feeling incomplete and frustrated.
Today I wanted to share with you an extraordinary company, created by Dr. Hugh Herr-bilateral below knee amputee, MIT professor and co-leader of the Yang Center for Bionics at MIT, Bionic Skins is changing the comfort game for the better.
Lauren and Eric head up the Bionic Skins headquarters in Bedford, Mass. and graciously came on my podcast to share what Bionic Skins is, how it works, and the hopes and aspirations Hugh and his team have for building a better and more comfortable prosthesis for the amputee community.
Eric is the “numbers guy”, checking stats, running the biometrics of the patients and making sure the measurements taken are accurate…
among other hats he wears for the company.
Lauren is the prosthetist; working with the patients, creating the sockets,
and making sure the fit is everything it should be for comfort and durability.
As we sit down and talk you can see how bright the future is for amputees. The technology is getting better and the understanding of what is needed for improving the quality of life for amputees is increasing. More research is being done, and talking with amputees helps bridge the gap of what we currently have, what we struggles with, and what is still needed to live actively and without restrictions.
Bionic Skins is doing just that. They are currently work with patients, and taking new patients, that are below knee amputees all the while continuing to research, build studies, and improve on the technology that they are producing in house and through MIT’s Media Lab.
Check out their website HERE
You can also follow them on social Media platforms like Instagram and Facebook @bionicskins to stay up to date on their research and studies in which you may qualify to take part.
Also, you can listen to my interview with Hugh Herr, himself, from this past April, on my podcast HERE
Hugh and I discuss Bionic Skins toward the end of my interview where he discusses his design and how it was created.
Thank you again, Lauren and Eric, for taking time out of your busy schedule to talk to us about the incredible work you’re doing to improve our lives. You are amazing people! Keep doing what you’re doing and I look forward to checking in with you again in the near future!
I hope you’ve enjoyed, and found promise for a brighter future, listening to today’s podcast. Please remember to like, share and SUBSCRIBE to my podcast and my YouTube channel so you don’t miss an episode!
Have an amazing week and as always,
Be Healthy,
Be Happy,
Be YOU!!!
Much love,
Dr Hugh Herr-Founder of Bionic Skins and “Yours Truly’ all set up for a gait study I did last year at MIT.