Tag: amputation

The Journey of a Thousand Legs

The Journey of a Thousand Legs

By |

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:58 — 32.8MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

Let’s Get Real

 

 

You’ve been through a lot. You had an amputation, you’ve healed, you’ve gotten fitted for your first socket.

Today you go in to put it all together and walk out the door and on with your life, right? Easy Peasy!

Yes! It’s the most exciting, most freeing day in an amputee’s life, for most people, however it doesn’t end there, and it doesn’t just magically take you back to “normal”.

Managing expectations and understanding how the journey is different for everyone will be helpful for your mental game.

First off, you need to understand that sockets make or break your experience with using a prosthesis. Just because you have the best foot or microprocessor knee (MPK) doesn’t mean you’ll be successful or walk better. Many aspects will factor in to how you handle your prosthesis.

 

Your prosthetist and his/her skills at listening to you, observing you and creating a socket that is best suited for you is so very important. Also important is your volume change, healing, and pain level.

Even if you have the best, most attentive prosthetist (like my guys, Randy and David at The Limb Center) who have created the most intimate socket for you, taking into account your contours and sensitivity, doesn’t mean that when you get your final socket you’ll be off and running. There are many aspects of those first 1-2 weeks of wearing the new socket that you will have to work through.

 

First, putting it on for the first time will take practice and more practice. Putting it on and off multiple times each morning wouldn’t be uncommon. It is not Lego pieces that snap together perfectly, your limb will conform  and fill your new socket better over time and your inner socket will mold to your limb over time and make it easier to put it on correctly the first time each morning.

Next, you will find that anything manmade isn’t perfect, even a remake of your test socket into a final socket, even though the same mold is used. This means that even if your test socket is feeling like the right fit, you’ll find that your final socket is a little different. It feels different, fits different, and can cause new rubs and rashes. It’s crazy, but by the end of my very first day in my brand new socket it was falling off….even though I was wearing my test sockets everyday, all day, for several weeks. My volume changed!

Finally, the best thing you can do is to continue to wear your socket to see what it’s doing, how it’s fitting, where it rubs or creates issues on your skin. My prosthetist always says 72 hours is a good gauge of how it REALLY is going to fit you. In 72 hours you can really test it and find how it functions in different situations and at different times of the day. Let’s face it, our bodies change throughout the day, and from day to day. To truly be able to communicate clearly what changes need to be made to your socket you have to put it to the test and make notes of what and where you are feeling things.

 

 

It would be so nice to receive your brand new leg and be off to the races but that is not reality for amputees. So many things can change and alter our fit, from one socket to the next, and from day to day and hour to hour. All you can do is learn patience and communicate clearly to your prosthetist so they know what you are feeling and what you need.

I went back to my guys two times, already, after wearing my brand new leg for 5 days.

This is a process. When you know this you can avoid some of the frustrations associated with socket fitting, and avoid feeling all alone in this journey. We all have some sort of adjustment to make once we get our “final”socket. And the fact is, when you are in your first 2-3 years post-amputation as soon as you get a socket you’ll have outgrown it so quickly that you’ll feel like you never even had a chance to really break it in and get use to it before it’s time for a new one.

 

This is a part of the journey of the 1000 legs, (at least that’s what it feels like).

My photo at the top is my actual sockets minus 6 ( a total of 18 in 6 years- most of those, probably about 15 where made in the first 3 years!)

Embrace the journey, be prepared for the time it takes and the process it takes to hone in to getting the best fit. Trust me, it’ll be worth it. When you get a great fit ti will make a world of difference.

 

 

Simple:

This week, if you are in a socket that you just received, wear it. Really give it a good try, even if it’s uncomfortable. Gather as much data and intel about the fit and the sore areas so you can ask your prosthetist. to make adjustment, with confidence. The better you communicate the sooner you’ll be in a socket that fits well and allows you to get back to life.

If you are about to get a new socket, or your first socket, I hope this helps you manage expectations so you come through this process in a positive state of mind.

Be excited, for sure. Getting a first socket or a new socket brings hope to you and your family. It’s exciting to design it, and to have your independence back, just understand that it is a process that you will have to navigate.

You will do just fine. You are not alone. I hope that brings comfort to you and a hope of a bright future as an amputee.

 

I hope you have a blessed week until we meet again.

And as always,

Be Healthy,

Be Happy,

Be YOU!!!

 

Much love,

 

 

A Work In Progress

A Work In Progress

By |

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 25:57 — 28.4MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

Taking Action During “Construction”

 

 

We are all a work in progress. That’s life, right? We all have those moments where you feel you are working on something in your life. Your health, a career, or relationships, you name it.

But what do you do in these moments? How do you continue to grow and better yourself during the construction?

It all starts within you. We begin by working on ourselves.

Right now, while I would rather be working out, being with my horses, and hiking, I can barely walk around my house due to having to use a test socket that is uncomfortable and rubbing me raw. And during this time, I am feeling miserable! I was trying to kick start my health since surgery but have hit moments where I need to work on patience, and heal. Now I feel so far removed from being in shape and that takes a toll on my mental game. Now that I’m in this situation I cannot get to my horses because it’s too hard to walk on normal surfaces, imagine walking across uneven ground of rock, sand and dirt.

 

 

This is my time to focus on my thoughts and heart. This is a time I am put into a slow down phase and being led to work on what I can.

 

How do we go about working on ourselves? We start with seeing the good in the world, seeing the good in our situation and finding joy in the moment despite your circumstances. Next we can assume the best, meaning when we assume the best in a person we can control our emotions much better which leads us to less anger and frustration and more joy. Finally, we must act!

 

 

 

This week we must ACT! Not when we feel it or when joyfulness is in us, but rather right now! Maybe you are struggling or hurting right now. This is the time to look outside of yourself and your situation and reach out to another human, your neighbor, to spread joy and positivity.

Maybe you check in on a neighbor, share a conversation and a smile.

Take care of your support system around you: your spouse, family member, a friend. Let them know you care and are grateful for all they have done for you.

Maybe you see someone struggling in a parking lot, getting groceries in their car. Spend time spreading love and helpfulness by giving them a hand.

It doesn’t take money or a lot of time, it just takes your attention and to show someone, “Hey, I see you. Thank you for all you do. Let me help you”.

 

Whatever you do, do in love, with patience, kindness, and selflessly.

When we give of ourselves, we share love, we show our humanity, and we spread goodness into the world. The world could use that right about now.

Imagine if everyone looked inward and made changes on themselves. Imagine the kind of world we would live in with that kind of kindness being spread!

Wouldn’t that be something!

So, Dear Warriors, what are you going to do while you are under construction this week?

How can you make a difference in spite of your circumstances?

When you focus on others you take the focus off of yourself and it allows you to get out of your own head and release what has been holding you back in your “construction time” and place it elsewhere. What you will see is that your life will be enriched and fuller. Your joy will overflow when you bring joy to others.

Try it and get back to me! Let me know how it’s going.

I’m rooting for you, Warriors! You are strong.  You are special. You are loved!

Have a blessed week ahead, and as always,

Be Healthy,

Be Happy,

Be YOU!!!

Much love,

 

 

 

 

 

To Travel is To Live

To Travel is To Live

By |

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:59 — 33.5MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

A Journey of a Thousand Miles Must Begin With a Single Step

-Lao Tzu.

 

Traveling is exciting but can also be stressful. Packing the right clothing for the weather, the events, and what makes you feel amazing. You try to pack neatly and concisely so you can pack everything you want and need.

As an amputee, things become a little more confusing and worrisome. What will you need? What MUST come with? What if this happens or that happens? All of a sudden, packing and traveling becomes almost impossible. How will you ever pack for every situation with the space you have?

There are so many rules with TSA and airports. There are so many unknowns in hotels. Knowing how to navigate these specifics with travel comes with experience. You learn more, for your unique situation, as you go but we can also help each other as we gain our own understanding and experiences.

Today I share my tips and tricks and my own experiences from the years of traveling, especially by plane, to help you on your own journey in hopes that you can enjoy your time more and worry less.

As you travel more you will become less worried about the process and be able to focus on the trip, and enjoy making memories.

You will find ways to make each trip a little more efficient and packing a little more streamlined.

If you are traveling soon, by plane, give yourself plenty of time the first few trips so you don’t feel rushed or miss your flight.

Don’t be too proud to use a wheelchair as you go through airports, and make sure you bring your basic amputee necessities. I kept a list that I accumulated as I went (things I realized I needed but never thought of or forgot in the beginning), this way I could check off the items I needed each time I packed for a trip. It eventually became unnecessary after traveling many times over the years.

Traveling should be a way to unwind and enjoy life after all you’ve been through. When you’re ready to begin travels, don’t be held back by fears, just charge forward and live!

It’s time to experience life and move forward from your amputation. Go enjoy the world and make memories!

“A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.” -John A. Shedd

 

 

You were built for more than sitting around and wishing for more. You were meant to experience it! Go out and enjoy these moments now and chase down those dreams!

 

Go out, Warriors, and explore the world. You deserve it!

And as always,

Be Healthy,

Be Happy,

Be YOU!!!

 

Much love,

 

 

The Process

The Process

By |

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 33:24 — 35.6MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

Healing Physically, Adapting Mentally and Emotionally

 

Amputation isn’t just the act of amputating a limb.

It isn’t just surgery, heal, and walk.

This is a process. It takes time, money, patience, and a whole lot of grit!

Unfortunately, most patients that knowingly go into amputation surgery can’t comprehend the struggles to come. For those who didn’t choose or prep for amputation, they have no idea of the life that’s ahead of them. For them, their emotional and mental state need to heal first, while they wait for their physical healing. They had their life torn apart by disease or war or an accident.

Whichever category you fall into know that you will get through this but it takes time, and commitment. You will need to work on, what I feel are, the four major components of successfully navigating amputee life: Physical, Mental, Emotional, and Financial.

Physical:

Obviously, you will take time to heal. You will need to learn to rebalance with less weight on one side of your body and also how to get around with crutches, a walker, or a wheelchair. You need to heal your incision but also the bone, muscle, and tissue. It was told to me that true healing takes up to 12 months. Within that time you will also experience new sensations and possibly phantom pains, all of which you will learn to adapt and work through. The whole wearing of a shrinker and then being cleared for a socket is a whole other side of the physical aspect you will need to come to grips with.

 

 

Mental:

As an elected amputee I had four months to prepare my mind for what was to come. I could ask questions, meet people, find peace with my decision, and set my future goals and dreams. Setting goals and daring to dream of a brighter future post-amputation is invaluable and can set you up for success. Manifesting your own destiny with a powerful and positive mindset is key! Get your mental game lined up as soon as you can.

 

 

Emotional:

Being ready to face your new life and new look is extremely important. Understanding how to deal with some of the struggles and hurdles you will face is hard to prepare for ahead of time, just know that when you do face a hardship that you need to take a step back, take a deep breathe and understand that these moments will end and good times will happen again. This journey is filled with ups and downs, highs and lows, pains and peace.

If you have dealt with an amputation due to someone else’s negligence, like an accident you were involved in, then you may have some extra baggage to address with your emotions, anger and hate. These emotions are poison to your healing. They can create some major problems for you and ultimately stifle your level of success as an amputee. Letting go of negativity will allow for healing and growth.

 

 

Insurance/Money:

My general practitioner gave me great advice ahead of my surgery, to contact my insurance company so I knew and understood my coverage and the rules of external prosthesis, but even then I got the short end of the stick (listen in to hear what happened!).

Remember that prosthetics are your new ‘forever’, being able to afford them or having coverage for them is highly important. Be prepared for what’s to come so you don’t feel like you’ve been duped. The reality is that you may be looking to get a new one every 3 years (most prosthetics have a 3 year warranty-at least that’s what I deal with as an above knee amputee with MPKs).

I wished more people had some of these basic facts before their surgery, but you learn as you go, that’s how my journey happened, and is still happening. Everyone’s experience is different, and you need to do what you need to do to embrace your new life as an amputee. The best teacher is time and experience.

 

 

 

 

This week is simple in detail but tough to execute.

Look yourself in the mirror and address what weakness you have and where you struggle the most in your life.

Are you weaker inner mental game or physical (being strong and healthy is important pre-surgery)?

Is your emotional state a struggle?

Be honest with yourself and really try to address your weaknesses.

Next, list your goals and dreams. Dare to go big! Manifest your future with positivity and standards you want to achieve and live up to. These will save you in times of struggle and give you incentive to keep fighting.

 

Being prepared doesn’t mean you won’t fall and falter, but it will give you a head start of your new life as an amputee.

Give yourself a fighting chance and reap the benefits of your preparedness and positive mindset.

You are stronger than you think and more resilient than you’ll ever know.

Rise up, Warriors, and prepare for battle!

 

Cheers to a blessed week ahead,

And until next week,

Be Healthy,

Be Happy,

Be YOU!!!

 

Much love,

 

 

 

 

 

What Is Really Important

What Is Really Important

By |

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:10 — 30.8MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

Knowing Who and What To Ask About Amputation

 

 

Becoming an amputee is so surreal. Electing to have it done is a choice I never thought I would have to make.

It brings about fears, anxieties, questions, and so much uncertainty.

How do you know life will be better?

What if I can’t wear a prosthesis?

Will I walk again or will I be in a wheelchair the rest of my life?

How long does it take to heal from an amputation

Do I get a leg right away?

Is walking like riding a bike, easy once you do it again?

How do I find a prosthetist?

Do I need to go to PT while I’m healing or after I get a leg?

So many questions, yet so many more that you may not even be thinking of.

How do you know what to ask your doctor? What type of doctor is best for this surgery?

Who is the most important person in your life right now, or how about in 5-10 years?

Most of these questions I, myself, didn’t even know that I had because I didn’t know I needed to ask them.

But I got lucky, or maybe it was fate.

My surgeon was amazing.

He sent me to the best prosthetist in town at The Limb Center.

The Limb Center sent me to an amazing, caring physical therapist at Touchstone Rehabilitation.

They were my team, and besides my family, they were my biggest supporters and fighters for my life, dreams, and goals.

 

Listen in today, and please share this episode with someone you know is going through, or about to go through, amputation. It may give them a better than fighting chance of knowing more about what is to come and allow them to find greater success as an amputee.

We all have a warrior spirit within us just waiting to be called out.

You need to educate yourself, and learn to fight for the life you want.

Now is the time to be that warrior, so rise up, dear Warrior, and pave the path to your successes.

I hope you find something that helps you, motivates you, and supports you in this episode. Don’t forget to like and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.

Have a blessed week ahead.

And as always,

 

Be Healthy,

Be Happy,

Be YOU!!!

Much love,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To Revise Or Not To Revise

To Revise Or Not To Revise

By |

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:47 — 32.4MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

That is the Question

Amputation is a difficult road, one that can change direction quickly, even after you heal.

For many amputees the surgical side of their life isn’t over. Many of us end up needing a TMR surgery or even a revision, while others will have to amputate even higher! Going from a below knee to an above knee amputation is life changing because one amputation is completely different from the next. What is required of you to be able to walk again, heal again, and trust again takes its toll.

So why do revisions happening? Why are they required for so many?

For some people their bone density is compromised. For others, bones spurs grow causing pain, And still others, myself included, find foreign objects left in their limb that no longer serve a purpose and only cause distress for the nerves. There are so many reasons that revision is brought up in doctor offices around the world and so many amputees who find it hard to wrap their head around being opened up again.

 

 

This past summer, just 8 weeks ago, I had this very choice. I was a possible candidate for an experimental surgery that I wasn’t sure the rewards were worth the risks, until we did a CT scan finding a foreign object coming out of my femur, causing the pains I have been dealing with for 6 years!

But what if your story isn’t so clear cut? How do you decide that revision is right for you?

 

 

 

Make a list of pros and cons about your revision.

Compare them and talk about them with your family and the people who support you.

Be open minded, not all revisions are necessary and timelines change.

Allow the chips fall where they may and be attentive to what’s going on around you: how have you been feeling, how’s the pain, is there something specific that you really must have done (maybe you have an underlying infection-you don’t want to wait on that one), maybe you’ve been promised a “nicer” looking residual limb.

Whatever it is, weigh that in your mind and on your list, and ask, is it necessary, and if the surgery doesn’t go as planned are you ready for that outcome?

And finally, something I’ve always believed in, Mindset and Manifestation.

 

 

Make your decision then, if you’re going for it, leave the “what if’s” behind and start setting your goals and VISUALIZING your successes post-revision. Your brain is powerful and where you led it, it will follow!

You are stronger than you know, dear Warrior!!!

It’s time to rise up!

Have a blessed day,

And as always,

Be Healthy,

Be Happy,

Be YOU!!

 

Much love,

 

Make It Personal

Make It Personal

By |

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:58 — 34.5MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

Amputation is a tough road. If you make the decision to amputate or if your limb is taken from you by accident or disease it’s a bumpy ride, right from the get go.

Most people assume that once you get through the surgical part and physically heal that you are back to life as usual. that couldn’t be farther from the truth.

As an amputee with 6 1/2 years of experience I can tell you that once I healed and was able to get fitted with a prothesis my journey of ups and downs was just beginning.

The one aspect that I am extremely grateful to my GP for pointing out to me was insurance. Even though I had my head wrapped around the idea of taking my leg, and I knew I had the grit and determination to tolerate all the limb changes that were coming, I needed to be sure that A) I knew what type of prosthesis I needed to live an active life and B) that my insurance covered it.

What I fought for:

 

 

 

 

 

 

This was the beginning of the most emotional and draining 4 weeks of my life. This was a fight I wasn’t prepared for, even though I thought I was.

This week I take you through what I did to cover myself, (or at least thought that I was covered), what happened that spun me out of control for 4 weeks, and how I bounced back to fight for the leg I needed to live a good and healthy life.

You may have to deal with this for yourself or someone you love, it’s good information, and from someone who now has to fight every 3 years to get the leg she needs to be mobile and I hope that my story helps you in your fight.

“No”should never be the answer when someone wants to be as mobile and healthy as they can be. We must learn how to prepare to face the insurance giants and how they work so we can be ready to stand up for ourselves and the lives we want to lead.

It’s no easy task but it is one worth our time and energy.

Remember the old saying, “The squeaky wheel gets the oil?” That became my motto that entire month I fought for my prosthesis.

Are you facing this blockade in your future, or even right now?

Check out how I went to battle and what you can do to prepare yourself.

 

 

Let’s get prepared!

First, understand your insurance plan. Look for what is covered under external prosthesis devices and what is needed to be approved, usually notation from doctor of it being “medically necessary”.

Second, get with your prosthetist and find out exactly what type of prosthesis you’ll be getting according to what your lifestyle was, what you dream of doing, and what you will be capable of (Usually you’ll take a K level test to determine your ability-my PT did this with me).

Third, get the code(s) that can be tricky and denied by most insurances and start making the call to your insurance company and ask if it’s covered by your insurance.

I even went to the extreme of calling my insurance company multiple times over the 4 months before my surgery to hear different employees tell me that “Yes, that code is covered.” Now they had it on recorded phone calls (Important to know that all calls are recorded, however, if you ask for the recordings they will tell you that your lawyer will have to file for them!!! Yes, I asked because I thought I was going to have to sue them for undo stress!).

This should be a great start to getting your approval, but even though I did all of these things, I actually got a big ‘ole “NO!” after my amputation… and while I had done my due diligence I hadn’t planned on my insurance company changing the wording on my plan after the first of the year to NOT include the code that was previously approved.

These are the unknowns you can’t prepare for but must find it in yourself to fight beyond that. You need to connect with people that can help, your doctor, your prosthetist, the prosthetic company even has their own insurance coordinator, and MAKE IT PERSONAL!

I made sure the calls I made to supervisors every day that month that I told them who I was, about my family, and my hopes and dreams I had for my future. You are NOT a claim number you are a person with a life. Make them see that and feel that.

 

These are just some starting points but I hope they help you navigate the crazy world of insurance claims.

Now get up and fight for your life of your dreams!

Don’t take No for an answer, dear Warriors!

Rise up and fight!!

Have a beautiful day and as always,

Be Healthy,

Be Happy,

Be YOU!!!

 

Much love,

 

 

The Secret Sauce

The Secret Sauce

By |

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 37:40 — 39.7MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

Letting Go and Leaning In

 

I have been an amputee for 6 1/2 years, but before that I had a taekwondo injury that took me through 5 years, 10 surgeons and 10 surgeries, plus a blood clot to decide it was time to start living again and make the biggest decision of my life.

Alone in the decision, I was not. I had an amazing support system with my husband, two boys and my family back home. I had friends rallying around me and a church I belonged to. However, I was exhausted.

I had put so much energy into saving my leg that I had depleted all of my positivity and resolve. How was I ever going to come terms with cutting off my leg?

Today I want to share with you all my story of Faith. I feel it is time to be true to myself and honor my beliefs.

I could NOT have done this without my “Secret Sauce”.

I get asked a lot how I handled making this big decision and how I keep going despite the pains and trials of being one leg down. I did NOT do it alone, but it takes something more than cheerleaders in my life. No, my “secret sauce” is greater than anything else, greater than my own drive or perfectionism. I needed to find peace and purpose in my decision.

If you are struggling my hope is that this brings some answers and help for you. Maybe you are curious as to where my positivity comes from or my resolve. Today I share my profound experience with my Faith that changed EVERYTHING in a moment…and I have never looked back.

I hope my experience helps you and opens a door you never knocked on. Let me know. Reach out to me with your own profound experience with faith over fear, or just let me know how you struggle. I would love to help you through my own challenges. There is no need to go it alone or to feel abandoned. You have a great cheer;eager in your corner that wants you to live a great life. Trust and look up, Warriors!

 

I hope you all have a blessed day and as always,

‘Be Healthy,

Be Happy,

Be You!!

 

Much love,

Hand Me That Weight

Hand Me That Weight

By |

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 25:46 — 27.7MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

We Need Each Other

 

 

We are creatures built to live in community.

This gives us a safe place to celebrate in great times, gain support in the bad ones, and everything in between.

Talking with people, sharing our journeys and stories, our ups and downs with others, plus listening to our friends and community during their moments is a beautiful symphony of give and take that allows us to feel valued and to give value to others.

I feel that when I hear people struggling that the one thing they are missing is connections with others and the outside world. I notice that about me too.

This past week after sutures were removed I decided I was in need of MY community,  the gym.

 

First day back at the gym since surgery on June 20

 

Despite the nerves I was feeling about walking thru the doors, missing my leg and clomping around on crutches, I felt at home and ready to push myself again.

People who knew me “showed up” for me with thumbs up, smiles, and positive comments that made me feel valued and supported. I was on cloud nine and pumped to be back again!

Those endorphines were ROCKIN’!

How about you?

Are you feeling alone and stuck?

Check below for some tips:

 

 

You were meant to deal with life in a community.

It doesn’t have to be huge, just people who love you, support you, are real with you, and hear you.

It is also. place where you can reciprocate those values through being a great listener.

Remember; Give and Take.

So this week, FIND YOUR COMMUNITY!

Women amputees, join my virtual meet ups through Facebook Events on Zoom, every Wednesday at either 4:00 pm or 8:00 pm EDT.

Pick up the phone and connect with a friend.

Get back to what you love, even if you’re on crutches or in a wheelchair. Time to ditch the vanity, and embrace the moment you are in right now, it won’t be forever. And if it is, even more reason to embrace it NOW! This is you, time to move forward.

If you like the gym, find a way to get there.

If you love book clubs, join one and create a new community for yourself.

Maybe you have a neighbor who would love some company, wouldn’t you?

It’s time!

Community also means you have people from whom you can ask help. I know for many of us, asking for help looks like we are conceding and are weak, but I am learning that asking for help is a sign of growth and knowing that in this moment, I can’t do everything I want to be able to do. You aren’t giving up or quitting, just accepting limits right now.

So get out there, connect, make new friends, reach out to old ones and live your life where you are at right now! Don’t wait for things to be perfect, that time will never come.

Make your life what you want, start now.

Rise up, dear Warriors, you are worthy!

 

Have a blessed week.

And as always,

Be Healthy,

Be Happy,

Be YOU!!

 

Much love,

 

 

 

Dr Hugh Herr: Bionics and Beyond

Dr Hugh Herr: Bionics and Beyond

By |

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 38:22 — 27.9MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

The AMI Procedure and Magneto Micrometry

 

This week I was honored to have back on my podcast, Dr Hugh Herr.

Hugh is a bilateral below knee amputee and a professor of Media Arts and Sciences at MIT.

He directs the MIT Biomechatronics Group and Co-directs the K. Lisa Yang Center for Bionics.

Time Magazine coined Hugh the ‘Leader of the Bionic Age’.

He has also authored and co-authored over 350 peer-reviewed manuscripts and patents, chronicling the science and technology behind his many innovations.

Dr. Hugh Herr is, in short, making huge contributions in the amputee community, giving amputees a hopeful future in living active and healthy lives.

Today, we discuss the AMI procedure (agonist-antagonist myoneural interface) which is the surgery I just had done in Boston with Dr Matthew Carty (co-creator of this surgery with Hugh) on June 20.

I was back in the MIT Media Lab over a year and a half ago, when I first met Hugh while I was a control group to test their bionic knee based on my traditional amputation.

Little did I know that less than two years later I would undergo groundbreaking surgery to improve my limb and prepare my body to use the myoneural knee that is soon to be made commercial.

This is exciting and unbelievable technology that brings hope and excitement to me, as an amputee, because we are going to see a huge change in our mobility based on this type of procedure plus the bionics, 3D printed sockets, and the Magneto Micrometry that is coming out of MIT!

 

Hugh working with a PhD student on the “bionic” knee. Photo credit. Jimmy Day/MIT Media Lab

 

Amputees, get excited for what is coming!

Our future looks so bright and we are going to have technology on our side so we can reach our goals and dream big dreams!

 

Listen in as Hugh takes us through everything coming down the MIT Media Lab pipeline and how it’ll work together to make us stronger, healthier, and more capable than ever before!

Warriors, this is incredible and inspiring!

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, Hugh, for taking time out of your very busy schedule to speak with me and bring more visibility to our future as amputees and for all the innovations and dedication to making us more complete and more than capable than we ever thought possible.

We appreciate you and all of your students and colleagues at MIT and MassGeneral.

 

For more information on the AMI procedure check out my June 9, 2025 episode with Dr. Matthew Carty HERE

And for a more in depth conversation with Dr. Hugh Herr about his journey, you can listen HERE

 

If you have any questions or thoughts on these technological advancements, please reach out to me and let’s have a conversation!

Hope you all have a beautiful week ahead.

And as always,

Be Healthy,

Be Happy,

Be YOU!!!

 

Much love,

 

Meta

Archives

Categories