Article Submisison Request

Article Submisison Request

Jarrod Eccles

9/18/2014

Alignment Magazine 2015 - Memorable Moments in O&P

 

We have asked this question for the last few years and have had tremendous
response each time. Some of them have been published in the Alignment
Magazine.

It can be why you decided to embark on this path, A client story that you
will remember forever, lessons learned. These are just a few of the ideas.

Please take the time to write a Memorable Moment and share with all of us.

They can be sent to: myself and <Email Address Redacted>

 

Here is one of the submissions from this year's Alignment Magazine -
Memorable Moments in O&P that we would like to share.

 

Feeling

By Bob Radocy

I believe the year was 1983. It was Winter because I remember the snow on
the yards as I drove from Boulder to Denver to visit Alex and his parents.

Alex was five years old, with a congenital absence of his right hand. He was
an active little boy who had adapted very well to using a small split hook
prosthesis. Alex was a good prosthetic wearer and user.

Alex and his parents had agreed to allow me to have Alex test a new, small
prosthetic device called an ADEPT. The ADEPT was the very first, voluntary
closing, prehensor ever developed for a child. No child had ever been fit
with this type of prosthesis before. None had ever existed.

I was nervous and excited as I installed this new terminal device, an ADEPT
F, onto Alex's prosthesis. He sat quietly watching alongside his parents. I
adjusted his cable system and harness and he quickly slid the system back on
over his shoulders and arm.

I asked Alex to watch me as I slowly demonstrated how the ADEPT worked. I
was using an adult GRIP Prehensor that had the same general design as what
Alex wore but of course much larger.

We had placed a series of small objects on the coffee table in front of
Alex. Instinctively he reached forward watching as the thumb of the ADEPT
pulled closed around a small, plastic, 35 mm film canister.. and suddenly
his eyes widened very large. It was like watching his mind open and work as
he realized that for the first time in his life he could feel what he was
picking up with his prosthesis. He quickly put down the film canister and
began rapidly grabbing other objects around the room. he grabbed his left
hand and felt the gripping pressure for the first time. He reached for his
mother's hand and squeezed it gently! Tears formed in her eyes!

Then he ran over to his tricycle parked in the corner, hopped on, grabbed
the handle bars with both hands and rode around the living room with a big
grin on his face. Alex never looked back on the old prosthesis again. he had
taken control over his prosthesis and his life!

Now thirty years later I still remember that event almost as vividly as the
day it took place. It was an emotional, teaching moment in my life and very
rewarding. We had designed an entirely new system of prosthetic technology
for children and Alex was proving that we were on the right track.

That day, that experience, further convinced me that we could offer those
with a hand absence a better technological alternative in upper extremity
prosthetics. It was the inspirational beginning of a product development
journey that continues still today.

I hope you've enjoyed this real life story and experience as much as I've
enjoyed retelling it.

 

 

Rekindle those memories and motivation for yourself and others.

 

Last year's magazine and article submissions can be found on the DTN
Network.

 

Thank you!!

 

Jarrod Eccles R.T.O. (c)

Director of Operations

 

Toll Free 877-395-0081

Skype: jarrodeccles

 < <URL Redacted>> MOT INC