Allen K.

I was farming in 1997 and was in the process of moving some grain bins. I needed to get my bins under some power lines. While trying to determine the height of the power lines, power jumped approximately one foot and I was hit with 24,000 volts. This led to a ride in the STARS helicopter and within two weeks both my legs were amputated below the knee.

I was told that I should put a wheel chair ramp on my house because I would spend 30% of the rest of my life in a wheel chair. I was told I would only be able to drive a vehicle equipped with hand controls. It was even suggested that I move to an apartment and that the "SYSTEM" would take care of me. I did not want to accept this prognosis and was told that I was in denial.

Then I heard about Stan and The Prosthetics & Orthotics Care Company. I was counseled not to see Stan... but I saw him anyway. After a few minutes I knew that Stan felt I could resume a normal life with only minor inconveniences. I also realized that his qualifications and training as a Prosthetist were extremely high. He explained that his aim would be to help me be comfortable where the socket meets my skin, and that the most expensive feet or ankles or hospital room or therapy would not assist me until I fit right. He then explained that his "total surface weight bearing system" would assist my circulation and keep my stumps happy. I reasoned that I already knew how to walk, and that I had been walking for 36 years, so all I needed was a comfortable fit and control that I could trust.

That year, my neighbors held a harvest bee and took off my crop, and I did some combining and tractor driving. A few months later I was able to renew my class 5 driver's license; then I renewed my class 1 driver's license so I could legally drive my big truck (without hand controls). Finally, I re-newed my Pilot's license.

Aided by the new legs that Stan made for me, I farmed for three more years. I drove everything I ever drove before. I carried, climbed, pulled, and pushed; and when picking rocks, I could out-pick my hired man. At the end of a hard day I would be exhausted, but my stumps were comfortable. In fact, sometimes I would go to bed with my legs on so that I could get going first thing in the morning.

In 2002 I decided to pursue a dream of mine which was to fly planes for a living. And today I own CAMROSE FLIGHT CENTER, which is a small flight school and charter company.

Over the years I have found that Stan and his staff are sincerely interested in their clients and are willing to listen to what their clients say. There is no "one size fits all" philosophy. Because The Prosthetics & Orthotics Care Company is a privately-owned small business, amputees get the service and individual care that larger institutions are not set up to give.

In my opinion the "SYSTEM" is very lop-sided. It seems to me that all amputees should be instructed in all of their options, and they should be encouraged to check out all the prosthetic shops that are available prior to committing to any shop. If you are an amputee, no one should have the right to decide who should be your prosthetist.

Thanks to Stan, some people think I'm NORMAL.