Robin’s story
It was really great! After eight years of struggles, a world opened up for me. First, I was given four hours of time by two instrument makers. The warden locked the front door and we had the whole place to ourselves. Full attention, where else can you find that? At the end of the morning I just walked loose on two test prostheses. I had a smile from ear to ear. I could walk again! And that after eight years of problems with my sockets. My day couldn’t go wrong! And every time I think about that day, a smile comes to my face.
You had problems for eight years?
Yes, in 2011 both my legs were amputated above the knee. After that, an incredible search for good prostheses began. The previous instrument makers where I was a customer were unable to make them for me. In those eight years I’ve been to two instrument companies, had twelve sockets for my right leg and in the end I couldn’t get me to walk. And then you come here and suddenly you are standing on two well-fitting sockets. Bizarre.
You could immediately walk well with it?
Yes, that was the most surprising thing. The socket immediately felt good. It’s a different kind of socket. This tube is less high in your groin, making it much easier to sit. You do not rest on your sit bone, but get stability from the pressure of the liner around your stump. You have to get used to that, but that went very quickly for me. You have much more freedom of movement. My colleagues did not know what they saw! They also thought it was very special at work, some colleagues spontaneously gave me a hug. I walked again! I love it and it really brightens me up. I really felt seen at Protec. I didn’t feel like a number, but a person.
Robin walked after eight years with two fitting leg prostheses!
How are things going now?
I’m now going to follow walking training with Frank Dik. That’s part of the service. I also find that very special. And my instrument maker Kas even comes to have a look, despite his busy schedule. They are involved, knowledgeable and take their time. That makes the difference!
What do you think is the added value of Protec?
Turnkey service. You come, they take their time, explain a lot, make your prosthesis and you leave. How customer-friendly is that!
We are only happy when you are
"I am now receiving gait training from Frank Dik, Protec's walking trainer. He teaches me to walk more neatly and teaches tricks that make me need less energy to walk. A very nice moment was last week. Then I managed to walk 2.5 kilometers in a row! That was really a huge progress."
Read Sacha's story
"There was no other option but to look for a counterbalance to the pain. And that’s a long process you go through. Because how do you learn to deal with such a setback? I started focusing on what I could still do, what was physically possible, what I could still enjoy. That’s how the strength to keep going was born. During that period, I learned to drive with my left leg. I’m very proud of that and happy about it!"
Read Karin's story
"It’s really strange to be able to see everything from a different perspective. I’m at eye level with others again. I can definitely feel it in all my muscles that I’m moving in a different way. The people in the apartment complex where we live were astonished when they saw me walking with crutches down the hallway. And when I first went to see my grandchildren with my prosthesis, my grandson was shocked when I stood at the door."
Read Frits's story
