Best Foot Forward

We recently came across an article in the Boston Magazine, about an inventor who built himself robotic legs after having his own amputated due to frostbite from a Mount Washington hike gone awry. With his original prosthetics, he returned to mountain climbing and made an important discovery.

“He was later fitted with a pair of acrylic legs, and one day, several months after the surgery, he took his legs and some tools and headed for the mountains near Lancaster… He noticed his body got colder and achier as he climbed but his legs did not. He was able to move faster and higher than before, in part because the amputations had left him 14 pounds lighter. And up there on the mountain that day, Herr made a leap that changed his life and may someday change yours: Why can't fake limbs outperform real ones?"

The story is incredible and a the article highlights his leaps from a small college in Pennsylvania to MIT and Harvard, to a grant for 7M from the US Government to develop his designs further. Well worth the read.

Regarding Suzanne's progress, she has been continuing with her therapy at the NRH and is meeting tomorrow with her prosthetist to adjust the fit and comfort of her right socket. It has now been 11 months since she had her last leg operation and it has not been an easy journey. Due to an ever-adjusting shape and fit, her right leg has never been comfortable enough to sustain prolonged wearing and walking. And without the confidence to walk unassisted for extended periods, the hand revisions have also been delayed. Suzanne is in good spirits, though and looking forward to Gabby's second birthday.