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 am happy to put my prostheses back on, lately they have often been in a corner. I don't regret my switch at all. They really take their time here, especially that, and watch you with several people. They are specialized and know what they are doing and always have a trick and solution if one does not work, yes they really think along with this."
Read Nicole's story
"I have a complex condition, with open wounds on my shins and it’s a journey to figure out how to manage that. At Protec, they think along with me and help me find solutions."
Read Frank'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
