Wheelchairs are a wonderful invention that help countless people move faster and more easily than they normally could. While certain situations require the use of a wheelchair and simply don’t allow the option for a prosthesis, there are other times that the option is available — it just hasn’t happened yet. Whether it is due to finance, pain, worry, or other factors, it is not unusual for those who have experienced limb loss to be hesitant about acquiring a prosthesis. Keep reading to learn more about the considerations of this transition.

Preparation

There will be a lot of tests, both physical and mental, before you can move out of your wheelchair, and preparation goes a very long way in assisting with these challenges. There are many different ways to help yourself:

• Plan Ahead – Recognize what you are going through now, consider the upcoming obstacles, and have a game plan ready! While it sounds simple, it is very important for pushing forward in tough times.
• Take Care of Yourself – This should always be a priority, but take extra care of the limb that will wear the prosthesis. Starting off comfortably will go a long way.
• Exercise – Research the specific muscles that will face the most strain, and work towards making them stronger. Understand that various parts of your body will feel new pressures, not just your affected limb.
• Talk to Your Prosthetist – They will have the experience and knowledge to help guide you towards the path of least resistance.

Practice

When you first start wearing your prosthesis, it may be difficult and frustrating. If you push through, keep learning, talk to your prosthetist, and keep a positive attitude, you will see that the experience becomes easier the more you do it. While practicing by yourself, make sure to walk on different surface types and perform various daily duties with your prosthesis on. Stay calm if you experience a setback (like falling) and keep moving forward — persistence will pay off!

Participate

This is important before and after the transition to a prosthesis. Having a community that you can talk to will make the process tremendously easier. Knowing that you are not alone in a situation is always comforting, and this is no exception. Walk with friends, check out sports teams, go to the movies, or whatever it is that gets you out and about. You also want to spend time and have good communication with your prosthetist. They will have perspective and updates that can only be achieved with years in the business, along with solutions to any problems you may face.

Let BioTech Help

Two of the biggest parts of walking on a prosthesis successfully are comfort and experience. BioTech provides the highest quality of both. Our personalized BioTech Comfort Socket System allows us to adapt each prosthesis to their individual owner, allowing for maximum comfort. Our team also has decades of experience with not only designing, but teaching, encouraging, and providing support in whatever way is needed. Learn more and contact us for more information.

Climbing Mt. Everest and reaching the summit is a task that only a select few can say they have accomplished. A miniscule amount of climbers can even make the journey to the base camp, and even the ones fortunate enough to get the opportunity don’t always make it to the top. It is a dangerous mission that is only meant for those who are both mentally and physically strong.

Tom Whittaker is one of those people.

Tom Whittaker lost his right foot after a car accident in 1979. He had already been physically active (he was a rock climber, rugby player, and had already summited Mount McKinley) before the wreck and decided to keep this mentality after. Along with regular workouts, he found which muscles to train that would offset the loss of his right leg and began to acquire a new form of balance. Training to hike any mountain is never easy, but climbing Mt. Everest with a prosthesis had literally never been done before. It would take new levels of determination and strength to reach the top.

Tom had two trips that were cut short before his historical ascent to glory in 1998. The first was in 1989 when he had almost reached 25,000 feet. A storm arrived and killed a total of six people. He would not get another attempt at the summit until 1995, when he almost reached the top. With only 1,500 feet remaining, Tom felt that he was moving too slowly on the rocks to make it to camp by nightfall and had to turn away from his decades-long goal. A friend and member of his crew brought him back a rock from the summit during that trip and told Whittaker to return it to the top for him.

Tom finally reached the summit of Mt. Everest on May 27th, 1998, and carved his name in history in that moment. His wife, Cindy, was there every step of the way, leading the crew into the Everest base camp and managing the monumental Everest Challenge ‘98. Tom Whittaker is not only a pioneer in prosthetic achievements, he should be an example of the truth that anything can be done, no matter what those around you say. It will not always be easy; in fact it will usually be difficult, but whatever challenge we are facing with a prosthesis or otherwise, we know we will be able to move past it.

BioTech Is Here to Help

We exist not only to provide you with the prosthesis and other equipment needed to feel comfortable daily, but to excel at whatever it is you want to accomplish. Our team has years of experience and enjoys seeing the people we work with continue to succeed. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you move your mountain.

Memorial Day is almost here, and with it comes the remembrance and honoring of every soldier that has died in battle. While we are remembering those that are gone, we can still take steps toward helping our nation’s living veterans. Here are a few ways we can honor the deceased while thinking of the living.

Fly Flags at Half-Mast

The United States flag is typically flown at half-mast until noon on Memorial Day. This is done to give honor and thanks to our fallen heroes. If you have a flagpole, take time to research the proper way to carry and raise the flag, and inform those around you if they would like to become involved. Even if you don’t have a flagpole, take some time when you pass a flag to remember everything others have sacrificed and given up for us to be here.

Donate to Charity

Donating to a charity for veterans can help the quality of life for veterans who gave up so much of themselves for our freedom. Memorial Day is focused on those who gave their life, but it is also a great reminder of what has been given up by veterans and their families. Many members of our military have endured physical limb loss, not to mention the mental and emotional toll of battle. Look into the thousands of charities available and find one that you would like to donate to.

Visit a Museum

Museums are a great way of understanding the brutal conditions that soldiers face in war. If you have children that seem to take these days lightly, showing them just how much was given up for their freedom may help them gain an appreciation for our fallen heros.

Thank Living Veterans and Soldiers

It is easy to be viewed as a hero once you have passed, but many of our living veterans do not get the support, help, and thanks that they deserve. Besides donating to a charity or volunteering to help disabled veterans, saying thank you to a veteran or active soldier can go a long way. Care packages can show that you do indeed care, and something as small as a conversation can help show that we do appreciate everything that they have done for us.

BioTech Thanks All Those Who Have Fought

BioTech has worked with many veterans and is thankful for every citizen that puts on a uniform to defend our country. This Memorial Day, we want to remember all the veterans lost in battle, and we vow to continue helping those who have lost a limb in war. Learn more about what we do and contact us today to discuss finding the right prosthesis for you.

Armed Forces Day is Saturday, May 20. The annual event is part of Armed Forces Week, which starts on the second Saturday of May every year. The intention of the week is to pay our respect to all of the men and women who have served for the United States Armed Forces. All branches are recognized and honored on this day. It is the perfect time to focus on and appreciate everything that veterans have sacrificed for our freedom – including, sometimes, their limbs.

The harsh reality of war is readily faced by our brave soldiers, and unfortunately, some of our best citizens are put in rough situations. Thousands of veterans lost a limb in combat or as a result of an amputation after being in Iraq and Afghanistan alone.

Solutions

Fortunately, we are in a time where we can make life as comfortable as possible for those who have suffered limb loss, including our veterans. New technology is constantly being invented which not only makes everyday life easier, but also advances a wide range of interests including athletics and exercise. Prosthetic devices are being made more customizable and comfortable, and continue to improve.

Besides the physical conflicts, many veterans are faced with mental conflicts like PTSD after coming back from battle. There are many treatment centers, group therapies, and psychologists that can assist in moving past this. If you or someone you know seems to be feeling symptoms, it is important to seek help as soon as possible. Keep these organizations that aim to help veterans with limb loss in mind.

Saying Thank You

Armed Forces Day reminds us to thank our veterans, but we should carry that reminder with us throughout the year. Both through words and actions, there are many ways to says thanks. There are programs for anything you can imagine. Writing thank-you notes to veterans or current soldiers, donating money to help veterans receive a prosthesis, visiting a VA, and countless other appreciative actions are possible through selfless people starting organizations. If you personally know a veteran, take the time to say thank you throughout the year.

We Thank You

BioTech has had the fortune to work with many different heroes, and we are thankful for everyone who has fought for our country. If you are in need of a prosthesis and interested in finding the best path for you, contact us today.

The Grand Slam Tennis Tournament is about to enter its second stage at the Roland Garros in Paris. After that, it will proceed to New York City for the US Open. While we watch these great players perform, we can also spend some time playing ourselves–even if we’ve experienced limb loss.

Fortunately, playing tennis with a prosthetic leg is fairly easy to do. Whether you are playing competitively or just hitting the ball around with friends, learn how to stay comfortable while playing and find out the right equipment to use.

Why Tennis?

Tennis is a perfect activity for someone who has experienced limb loss and is trying to become more active. You obviously need to feel comfortable being active in your prosthesis already, but playing tennis will help you handle turns, short sprints, and pivots while allowing you to enjoy yourself at the same time.

You can also play at the speed you choose, whether it’s soft lobs back and forth with a friend or a more competitive speed round. Start slow, get acquainted, and see if this is the sport for you. For those who enjoy it, there are tennis clubs across the country that you can play in, and specialized camps for those looking to play other adaptive tennis players.

Preparing

As we said earlier, a large positive of playing tennis is the ability to choose your own pace. The quality of your equipment will change as you become a more active player. Some ways you can help yourself adjust to being more physically active are frequently exercising your core, discussing the parts of your prosthesis with your specialist, and joining a group to motivate you to continue playing. Practice moving in a controlled environment to get adjusted to your equipment and make sure it fits well for physical activity.

Equipment

Fortunately, we live in a time where technology for limb loss is improving every day. Talk to your prosthetist and let them know what you are trying to accomplish, and they will help you find the right fit for you. There is a wide range of athletic prosthetics available, and it is important to match the one that fits you and your goals the best. If you get a new prosthesis, it is important to wear it in for a bit before using it competitively.

Let BioTech Help!

BioTech specializes in using the best and most up-to-date technology to make your everyday life as simple as possible. This includes hobbies and sports like tennis. We want to make sure you have the most comfortable and quality prosthesis, and we will work with you to make sure you achieve everything you want to accomplish. Contact us for more information.

We’re thrilled about observing Limb Loss Awareness Month 2017, and we’re ready to help make it the best one yet! Keep reading below to find out how you can be a part of this very exciting month.

Hill Day

Come to Washington, D.C. from April 25-26 and talk to your elected officials about issues that have an effect on those with limb loss. Training and networking starts at noon on the 25th, and legislator visitation takes place on the 26th. Among other things, we’ll be addressing insurance fairness for amputees, funding for programs and research that improves life for someone with limb loss, and more. Get more details here.

Harness the Power of Social Media

We all know social media can be an incredibly effective tool for spreading the word about… well, anything. Download the Amputee Coalition toolkit and dedicate your social network pages to Limb Loss Awareness Month! With premade graphics, flyers, and more, you’ll have everything you need to make sure all your friends know how special this month is.

Show Your Mettle

Definitely one of the most loved traditions of LLAM, this is a great opportunity to show exactly what you’re made of!

Step 1: Take a photo of yourself that showcases your limb loss.

Step 2: Post it with the hashtag #ShowYourMettle, and let your unstoppable spirit shine!

Book a Speaking Engagement

Whether at your local library, civic group, or church, April is a great month to speak about limb loss and everything it entails. Reach out to organizations around your city and ask them if they’d be interested in having you come speak. Then, use that opportunity to educate the public about limb loss and encourage them to get involved with their elected officials to help amputees live well!

Need More Tips for Limb Loss Awareness Month?

If you’re looking to get involved but you’re not sure how to take the first step, contact BioTech. We love our patients like family, and we’ll do anything to make sure they are loved and celebrated during the month of April (and every other month, for that matter). Contact us today for more information on limb loss, prosthetic devices, and more!