Carla’s story
Carla was born with a birth defect in her left hand. Despite this, she attended the dance academy and the teacher training for textile arts and handcrafts. Due to dystrophy, she eventually had to lose an arm and two lower legs. She works as a volunteer at the Stichting Mee, where she shows people what life with a disability is like. Her assistance dog is her companion. He helps her with dressing and undressing, opening doors and even with the laundry. She enjoys swimming and is currently working with two fellow dancers on a dance piece to be performed underwater.
What happened so that you have to miss your arm and your legs?
Ten years ago I bumped my hand, which caused dystrophy and I suffered a lot of pain. Then, pretty soon after, I bumped one knee and sprained the other. Dystrophy also developed in my legs and to make matters worse I suffered from thromboses. I was an independent dance teacher, had a nice and free life with my son and suddenly lost my freedom and independence. Afterwards it turned out that I had also contracted Lyme disease and suffered from a blood clotting disorder, which made some complaints explainable.
The problem with your arm was eventually solved by the amputation?
Yes, the dystrophy made my arm worse and more painful. In the end it was decided to amputate part of my arm. Afterwards I felt so incredibly liberated! I was no longer in pain and could tolerate people around me again. And I needed that so badly. When the amputation of my arm was over, I was still struggling with my legs. They also got worse and worse. They were painful and in a strange forced position. When I also had an accident with the wheelchair taxi in which I was transported, things got further out of hand. I asked for an amputation of my legs, but they did not respond. In the end, my legs were amputated below the knee in the VU medical center.
‘What no one expected happened here: suddenly I was walking again, with two prosthetic legs!’
When did you get your first prostheses?
Shortly after the amputation, prostheses were fitted in a company that collaborated with the VU. I walked three steps, but eventually I got wounds and pain, I had to stop and I built in some rest for myself. At one point my sister said: “Couldn’t you try a prosthetic arm?” So I started the process for an arm prosthesis. When I was doing that, it started to itch again in the area of my legs. So I made an appointment with the rehabilitation doctor, the director and then with the orthopedic technologist from Protec.
How did the Protec team help you?
He prepared me so well for what to expect. They did not promise me mountains of gold, but told me what might be possible, taking into account my physical situation. In that respect I was very well informed from the start. Everyone was very friendly and helpful, I really felt that way. My prostheses were fitted and that same day I was able to get a taste of walking with them. And what no one had expected, it happened: the walking went well! The prostheses felt nice. That was really so special.
So you could suddenly walk again? That must have been a special experience!
I was standing at eye level in front of people again and as a result, strange as it may sound, I suddenly felt grown up again. I received the prostheses home with lots of tips and advice for use. Kas gave me his phone number and that made me feel safe. In the first period I suffered from some nerve pain; a kind of stabbing through my leg. Because I could have direct contact with Kas about this, we were able to anticipate. Kas really takes his work very seriously and that gave me a sense of peace.
Did you need help learning to walk?
Yes, I could immediately contact Frank Dik, exercise coach at Protec. I started walking training with him. At first I walked inside the walkway, but I felt that soon I would be able to walk outside it. I also try to step on the brakes now and then, because there is a lot going on with my body. So I take it easy at intervals. But sometimes I already think about walking outside and taking long walks. And that while I’ve been in a wheelchair for years.
Unbelievable that it worked in one go!
Yes exactly. So after years I managed to get me to walk on two lower leg prostheses within a week. I felt so lucky! I could never have imagined that it would feel so good. Anyway, I still find it difficult to say this just like that, because somewhere you don’t dare to cheer too much after so much setback. And yet: this feels good!
You dare to hope again?
Sure. I am incredibly happy that I ended up at Protec. Coincidentally, it’s just around the corner from me. One of the things I hope to achieve with my prostheses is to be able to visit my son and daughter-in-law who live close to me. They live three floors up and when I can climb the stairs again, I can visit them and my grandchildren!
Curious about how Carla is doing a few years later? A few years later, we spoke with Carla again for a personal story.
We are only happy when you are
"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
"I can function very well with my prosthesis. I'm doing everything again, better than I used to, because I don't suffer from that pressure spot anymore. It feels very nice with that liner. The edges are softer and I can run longer distances much better. The whole process was done carefully. I am very happy with it."
Read Lara's story
"Renee had a moped accident at the age of 16 and has been wearing a leg prosthesis ever since. She has been a client at our Utrecht location for several years and first got to know Protec in Amsterdam: "What a special place! You absolutely don’t feel like a patient, because there is no medical atmosphere at all. The small-scale setting also creates a great feeling. Actually, it’s hard to explain—you have to experience it."
Read Renee's story
