Lara’s story
In 1992 in my native Romania, I had an accident that caused me to lose my left leg. I was a student at the sports academy in Bucharest, 22 years old and used to go to my hometown by train every now and then. The journey by train took six hours and there was a stop halfway through. I was hungry and wanted to buy something at a kiosk at the station. Apparently I had been gone too long, because when I looked up I saw that the train was leaving again with all my luggage in it. I panicked and thought that, with my sporting aptitude, I could jump on that moving train. But nothing could be further from the truth: it failed and I ended up under the train. Everything happened in a flash, I was conscious and saw that there was not much to save from my left leg. The leg had to be amputated immediately, my right foot was also damaged, but luckily the doctors were able to save it.
Did you know how to get a good prosthesis?
Actually, I didn’t know that at all. There was a company in Bucharest that made very primitive wooden prostheses. I did not want that and sent letters to orthopedic companies in different countries, to which I received responses that it was not possible to help me. In the hospital where I was lying I met someone who had acquaintances in England. These people, affiliated with a church, were looking for a good cause and my name was called, after all I needed a prosthesis! In 1993 I traveled to England. The trip was paid for and I ended up in a loving host family.
You received a prosthesis in England
A prosthesis was made for me and I was then able to rehabilitate for a month. That first prosthesis was not the best, but an ordinary vacuum cooker with a mechanical knee. I was young and could walk well on it. I went to England every summer to have the prosthesis adjusted. I went back four or five times until I had a good prosthesis for a longer period of time.
How did you end up in the Netherlands?
When I had my accident I was studying at the sports academy. To my great sadness I could no longer play sports and skate. I switched to another course and studied physiotherapy for four years and then did a master’s degree. At the same time I worked in a children’s hospital. Around that time, in 1996, I met the sister of my (later) husband in Romania. She said to me: I find you so suitable for my brother, who is alone. I didn’t hear anything for a while until he got injured and needed my help. We wrote each other letters that became more and more cordial. In the summer of 1998 he came to Romania and we immediately fell madly in love. After a year I finally came to the Netherlands.
And the prostheses in the Netherlands?
At first we lived in Friesland and later in Den Helder. In both places I found an instrument workshop nearby where my prostheses were made. In itself I got along reasonably well with those prostheses, but at the last instrument workshop they could not help me any further.
What was the reason you came to Protec?
Two years ago I got a pressure sore. I had a new tube that was digitally measured. That digital tube didn’t sit right and I didn’t have room for volume change. At one point a blood blister appeared on my stump. The blood blister kept coming back and could not be cured. Of course I asked several doctors and instrument makers for advice. One suggested osseointegration, while the other talked about a reamputation. I didn’t like either option. So I started searching the internet for solutions.
Lara’s wound on her leg was gone within a week!
And then you found Protec?
Yes! I had no idea that there was a company in the Netherlands that specialized in leg prostheses! I was able to get in very quickly and found it such a big difference. I got a new tube with a silicone liner. At Protec I received an extensive gait analysis for the first time, something like this had never been done before. They looked very closely at my gait pattern and distribution of forces over my body. The people there thought along with me and revised the entire prosthesis.
You were pleasantly surprised?
If you don’t know that such a center exists, you trust that the company where you are customer is good. Protec really made an effort for me. The prosthetists hoped they could make the wound disappear, but didn’t give me false hope. And wonder of wonders, after a week the wound was gone. I can still see their faces when I said that.
What do you think of Protec?
The way the instrument makers treat me is very, very good. It’s a nice place to be. Of course there were also nice instrument makers in other places, but there is a difference in communication, in terms of asking questions and listening.
How is your prosthesis doing now?
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.
We are only happy when you are
"I’ve now been a prosthesis user for half a century. For many years, I functioned quite well with my prostheses. I am a visual artist and a teacher, I lead an active life, and I have a job that requires me to stand. I’ve also always traveled a lot. However, I often suffered from sores in my groin, but I kept going. I simply want to do things and not always be focused on my prosthesis, which can limit me."
Read Hilli's story
"I arrived in the morning and left the house at four o'clock with a new prosthesis. At other instrument makers I was cast in plaster, I had to wait weeks for a tube and I had to make adjustments all the time. This was good at once. I could walk away with it right away, the tube fit like a glove. This prosthesis is attached to my leg and feels like one whole. That is quite a progress. Even though I don't walk much, I want to walk stable and good and I can do that again."
Read Marcel's story
"It was truly amazing! After eight years of struggle, a whole new world opened up for me. First of all, two prosthetists dedicated four hours to me. The director even locked the front door, and the three of us had the entire place to ourselves. Complete attention, where do you still find that? By the end of the morning, I was walking freely on two trial prostheses. I had a smile from ear to ear. I could walk again! And that after eight years of problems with my sockets."
Read Robin's story
