My friend Ramona, recently posted about the Orlando, Florida student, Linda Lu, who has just received a hand transplant in her blog Suture for a Living.  Dr. Bates is a surgeon and also a phenomenal quitter.  So you see she certainly understands how important her hands are, yet she noted, “Just because we can do a procedure, doesn’t mean we always should.” I share her sentiments.
As a life care planning expert in amputation injury and limb loss, I find hand transplantation somewhat disturbing.  I can appreciate the technology and biological …

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Prosthetic technology continues to improve dramatically (as evidenced by this old prosthetic fitting image!), and the Department of Defense is one of the key drivers in these developments.  While reading this article about Mr. Loosen, the vet who is the first in the older group to receive this new X2 knee, I recalled a presentation that I attended on prosthetics about a year ago.  The amputee that presented was describing how much concentration was required to simply walk across the room on the “standard” type of above knee …

USA Today reported that quadruple amputee, Frenchman Philippe Croizon, swam across the English Channel using customize flipper prosthesis in 13.5 hours.  This article is one that is both heartwarming and also provides a real life look at how an amputee can excel at anything he or she puts their mind to.  In my role of life care planner for an amputee, one of my primary goals is to gain a clear understanding of the types of activities and interests the individual has so that we can make sure that these …

Cody McCasland, 8 year old from Colleyville, Texas participated in the Ranger Triathlon at the Texas School for the Deaf.  Code is a double above the knee amputee.  He was born with a rare birth defect that caused his legs to form without knees and tibias (large bones of the lower legs).  Cody completed a 100m swim, 2.2 mile bike ride and 800 meter run in under thirty minutes.
Cody uses prostheses to walk around, but removes them for the swim.  He also uses a special push bicycle and racing wheelchair …