Pierre
Pierre's story
Pierre wears a prosthetic leg due to blood vessel problems Why did you have to miss a leg? Two years ago my leg had to be amputated because my arteries were blocked. It was December, just before Christmas. Four weeks before that I lost my wife, so that was two huge blows in a row. I was in the hospital for two months and rehabilitated for three months in a rehabilitation center. When did you get your first leg prosthesis? When my wound was closed, I was fitted with my first prosthetic leg by the instrument maker associated with that rehabilitation centre. I wanted to walk again quickly and said that it was really going to happen. The nurses laughed at my wish, but I actually did it. I could walk with it, with that first prosthesis, but I had a lot of pain. And because of that I didn't walk well and didn't like it. Could the prosthetist do something about the prosthetic leg to reduce the complaints? No, every time I went back to the prosthetist, he said that everything was really fine and that nothing could be done about the prosthesis. The surgeon who helped me was not at all satisfied with the prosthesis and my way of walking and sent me to another rehabilitation doctor. That seemed like something to me, because it would mean that I would also get another instrument maker. Did you get another instrument maker? I wish it was true. When I came to the doctor, the same instrument maker was there again. And I just didn't feel like it, because he couldn't help me any further. In the end it turned out that my stump had shrunk five centimeters. Then another prosthesis was made by the same instrument maker, but I couldn't walk properly with it again. I walked on my front foot and that felt so strange. Normally you walk on your heel and then put the front foot down. Could that complaint be resolved? I went back again with this complaint, but nothing could be done about it, according to the instrument maker. Sometimes I waited for hours in a fitting room and in the end nothing was resolved. I was advised to buy other shoes, with a higher heel. Then the problem with the prosthetic foot would be solved. There I was with 10 pairs of shoes that I could no longer wear. And by the way, I don't think that was a solution. Then I went back to the surgeon and asked for a second opinion. I wanted to be able to walk, fish and stand comfortably at the car boot market. That's what I do it for. And then you need good help. So you decided to ask Protec for advice? Yes, I saw on the internet that I could request a second opinion from De Hoogstraat Orthopedietechniek and Protec. And I did. I was the very first customer at Protec in Amsterdam. So I've seen the whole company grow. How were you received at Protec? The director called me himself and I received a very friendly and warm welcome from him and Kas, the orthopedic technologist. It's homey and it's warm and human. An entire morning had been set aside for me. So I also had the opportunity to tell my story. The foot was also immediately looked at, which I told about. After a quick look, it turned out that the foot was set completely wrong. Some screws were tightened and after ten minutes I was able to walk well again. So the problem was solved on the spot? Yes. And that while I had been walking so hard for months because the other instrument maker said nothing could be done about it. I myself have had a cleaning company for more than forty years. Helping customers well was very important and in all those years the interests of the customer came first. I'll see if that's right. And I also saw that at Protec. At least they really listened to what I felt. What else was done? After that, a new prosthetic socket was immediately fitted and I am very satisfied with it! Really, I am very, very satisfied. After fitting, videos were also made and it was checked whether I could walk properly with the prosthesis. I finally walk again after so much time without problems and without effort. And that simply by paying attention and listening carefully. Oh yes, and at the moment I am also taking lessons in walking. This is done by someone else who specializes in it. That makes me sweat. What was the most remarkable thing about Protec, in your opinion? I used to sometimes sit in the fitting room for an hour and a half and see no one. I didn't know what was going to be done about the prosthesis. Here I am sitting at the coffee table and people are having a nice chat with me. And in the meantime I get a prosthesis very quickly that I can walk with again. What else do you want? be 200% satisfied, is that possible? Because that's me. Want to read more customer testimonials? Click here.