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Custom prostheses are helping patients overcome injuries and achieve their goals. These people have gone on to fulfill their ambitions and become both celebrities and role models.
The loss of a limb does not equate to the loss of a fulfilling life. Horton’s Orthotics & Prosthetics in Arkansas makes custom amputee prosthetics to help patients live without limitations and pursue their life goals. Get inspired by these 5 stories of people who continue to do what they love with the help of amputee prosthetics.
Heather Mills
Born on January 12, 1968, Heather Mills is an English activist, former model and the former wife of Paul McCartney. At age 25, she was struck by a police motorcycle while crossing the road, suffering severe injuries to her left leg, ribs, and lung. She has a prosthetic leg below her left knee. Mills has since campaigned for amputee aid, animal rights, and other causes. She is also vice-president of the Limbless Association.
Bethany Hamilton
Born in 1990, Bethany is an American pro surfer. On October 31, 2003, during a morning surf along the waves of Tunnels Beach, Kauai, Bethany lost her left arm to an attack by a tiger shark. Just two months later, she was back to surfing with a prosthetic arm.
She has since won first place at numerous surfing competitions, performed stunts for her character in the 2011 movie Soul Surfer, competed alongside husband Adam Dirks in the Amazing Race, and gave birth to a son in June 2015. Bethany continues to compete in surfing events around the world.
Francis Anthony Melby “Tony” Iommi
Founder of the heavy metal band Black Sabbath, Tony Iommi spent his youth working in a sheet metal factory. At 17 years old, a work accident claimed the tips of the middle and ring finger of his right hand.
At first, he made his own prostheses by melting soap bottles into a ball, soldering holes into it, and placing his fingers in before the plastic hardened. He then sanded the plastic and covered them with leather for improved grip on the guitar strings. These days, Tony uses professionally-made fingertip prostheses.
Tony was ranked #25 in Rolling Stones’ list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time.
Sarah Reinertsen
Born in 1975 with a rare bone growth disorder, Sarah became an above-the-knee amputee at just seven years old. After the operation, she ran track diligently and at 13 years old smashed the 100-meter world record for female above-the-knee amputees.
In 2004, she took a shot at the Ironman Triathlon World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, but missed the cycling portion qualifier by 15 minutes. Sarah returned the next year and finished the race in a mere 15 hours, becoming the first female leg amputee to complete the event. She continues to participate in running and cycling events.
Casey Pieretti
After being struck by a drunk driver at 19 years old, Casey had his right leg amputated below the knee. While in the hospital, he developed a passion for inline skating, and in 1993 he skated across the United States to raise awareness for amputee children whose families could not afford the cost of annual prosthetic replacements.
The result was the establishment of the National Limb Bank and Amp’d Gear, a prosthetics company formed by Casey and chemist Bill Spracher. Casey’s passion then brought him to Hollywood as a stuntman, working with industry icons including Steven Spielberg, John Woo, and Paul Verhoeven.
With locations throughout Central Arkansas, Horton’s Orthotics & Prosthetics creates customized orthopedic, orthotic, and prosthetic devices to help patients live life to the fullest. Let us help you live your own inspiring life with an amputee prosthetic by calling (501) 683-8889 today.
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