About two years ago I started down the road of looking for some Batman knee braces. Sounds funny but I was watching The Dark Knight Rises for the 100th time when for the first time since my diagnosis, I noticed this prosthetic that was attached to Bruce Wayne’s leg to help him walk. So to google I went, “Batman knee brace” I chuckled to myself as I typed. Within 10 minutes I was not chuckling anymore. I came across a company called Ottobock. They lead the way in prosthetic legs and artificial knees for amputees. They make a product called “C-Leg”. Nothing much happened other than research and a new AFO for my left leg in the first year due to injury, work, and not really getting in front of someone willing to work to help me at least find out if it would work for me.
That all changed last March when I got a mass generated email from Ottobock announcing their second generation C-Leg. That felt like a sign to start pushing again. This time I didn’t go through a doctor or prosthetists I went to ottobock through multiple emails and phone calls. After about a month I got someone willing to work with me to find someone to see me. I live in a small town of about 28k people in a poverty stricken area of MIssissippi. We have very few resources as it relates to the cutting edge medical technology. All that said, I was beyond shocked to find out that a prosthetic company a 1/4 of mile from my home would be the ones who would help me. I don’t even go through a red light to get to their office. It’s been here for years. Hanger Clinics. I’ve seen their sign for as long as I can remember but had no idea what they did. 10 months later I’ve had two different sessions of being evaluated with eval braces and I’m slated to be fitted within the next month.
I’m still very apprehensive but very hopeful. I looked like a baby horse trying to walk for the first time but there were moments where I could tell it was something I could work with and build towards getting some of my life back. The man working with me knew that I was a golfer before I digressed physically to the point I no longer had the stability to play. The second round with the evaluation braces we went to my parents lake house that had a wide open room where I could do 10 meter walks and traverse some steps. At the end of trials I was beginning to get rather winded. The eval braces weigh about 10-12lbs a piece. I'd been walking and standing for about two hours at that point and was ready to get them off. He brought out a pitching wedge and a few golf balls. It wasn't a lot but I was able to stand over the ball and make several successful chip shots without feeling like I would fall. It's been several years since I could stand without the assistance of a walking cane. It was a very gratifying experience. I tried to attach a video of the chip shoots but I guess it's the wrong format.
Again, I'm guarded yet hopeful. I've wanted to post here since first finding these braces but I didn't want to get my hopes or any else's hopes up without more information. So far it appears my insurance is going to pay partial if not all of the costs for the braces. When I asked for what they would cost I was given a "retail price" of $90k. I will keep you guys posted along the way but here is a video of the c-brace to give you an idea of what one talking about.
I saw Ken, Aaron, and Songstream at ALD connect annual meeting today.
Possible AMN , I’m in the process of finding out
