Advances

After Robby was born, I stepped out of the classroom and began my tenure as stay-at-home Mom. While I loved being home with him and watching him grow, I missed the career that I left behind. I struggled for a long time to try to find a professional venture that would satisfy my need to give back while allowing me the opportunity to continue to stay home with Robby. Needless to say, the journey was not easy!

I am in a wonderful place, both professionally and personally. I have finally found a career that I love. It feels wonderful to be able to help my community while contributing financially to the household. I'm able to do the majority of my work at home which affords me a flexibility that I do not take for granted! Every day is different and provides me with new adventures and opportunities to meet some amazing people.

My job responsibilities are varied, but the one that I enjoy the most is my role as guinea pig. Whenever Elliot (my prosthetist) has a new idea, I am often asked to try it out. Whether it be a new component that just came onto the market, a new suspension configuration or a new socket design, I am able to wear it and provide my feedback and suggestions for improvement. Not only is it fun trying out the newest technology, but I am excited to be a small part of the process of making these advancements available to the community.

Last week I was asked to try a new socket design which will hopefully negate the need for socks to control volume fluctuations. I was immediately excited about the possibilities. Imagine eliminating the need for socks to control volume fluctuations! This new design, if it works, has the possibility of improving the prosthetic lives of so many amputees. I couldn't wait to try it out.

The socket is as visually interesting as it is functional. Cutting out and trimming down panels to create movement and threading a Boa closure system through the socket walls to provide a mechanism for self-adjustment was brilliant. With the click of a dial I am now able to reduce or increase the size of my socket, allowing me to accommodate for volume fluctuations while eliminating the need for socks. 

The new design is still in its infancy, and I'm sure numerous tweaks and improvements will be implemented as it evolves. The socket itself is more labor intensive to fabricate, but the results are amazing. My new leg is comfortable, and I love that an adjustment is just a click away! I am amazed at the developments that have occurred in prosthetics during the past decade. I'm hoping that the research continues, and I'm eager to see what will unfold during the next ten years.