Going Bionic
Donation protected
First time I watched movie “I, Robot” starring Will Smith where he is having bionic arm I began to joke around that in future I will get foot like that, so I can be active. Well, future is here. And I found it. The name is Exosym Brace.
Brace was created by dr. Ryan Blanck for service members in order for them to save their legs from amputation. It was called IDEO – Intrepid Dynamic Exoskeletal Orthosis.
At the age of 9 I double fractured my left ankle while playing with other kids at school yard. Since that accident I live with pain everyday. At the age of 15 I went to another surgery due to shorter leg by 1,5 inches, as a result of injury. I’ve been wearing external fixator aka Ilizarov apparatus for a long year. Long year using crutches.
The fixator increased the length of the leg. So did the pain.
I got use to the pain. I couldn’t run, jump or play sports. Back then the goal was to pretend I’m absolutely normal healthy man.
Pain, stiffness, swelling, almost no range in motion were increasing. But I still had hope I could manage the pain till the age of 40, so by then scientists will invent something for people with injuries like mine. No luck. I’m only 28. And I can barely walk.
I got married. 7 month ago adorable twin daughters were born. Eva and Anna. Sunshine in my life. Along with sleepless nights, paying medical bills for babies’ delivery, being only one person who brings money into the family my pain achieved to the point I couldn’t tolerate. I always knew my ankle is in bad shape, but the doctor’s verdict was tough. End stage ankle osteoarthritis which led to first stage foot arthritis. All these years I was killing not only ankle but the foot too. It was compensating the load of not properly functioning ankle joint. Countless consultation with doctors, surgeons and physiotherapists brought me no closer to a solution. The only option they gave me is to fuse the ankle which will totally kill my foot after a while. And there is no treatment for foot arthritis. I began aggressively researching any other ways to stay on both feet without losing the limb. So I found the only one.
Exosym - IDEO brace. The only place that makes this brace is Hanger Clinic in Gig Harbor, WA. I’ve been approved as good candidate for it. Unfortunately, device is expensive and health insurance doesn’t cover it. I will do everything in my power to come up with the money but because of life circumstances there is no way I will be able to raise it without your help. There are no words strong enough to express my appreciation for spreading the word and your donation.
Hopefully soon I will become active dad for my little angels and strong husband for my incredible wife. And my I, Robot wish come true :)
Below is a link where you can read more about ExoSym brace
http://www.hangerclinic.com/bracing-support/adult-le/Pages/Limb-Salvage-ExoSym.aspx
Brace was created by dr. Ryan Blanck for service members in order for them to save their legs from amputation. It was called IDEO – Intrepid Dynamic Exoskeletal Orthosis.
At the age of 9 I double fractured my left ankle while playing with other kids at school yard. Since that accident I live with pain everyday. At the age of 15 I went to another surgery due to shorter leg by 1,5 inches, as a result of injury. I’ve been wearing external fixator aka Ilizarov apparatus for a long year. Long year using crutches.
The fixator increased the length of the leg. So did the pain.
I got use to the pain. I couldn’t run, jump or play sports. Back then the goal was to pretend I’m absolutely normal healthy man.
Pain, stiffness, swelling, almost no range in motion were increasing. But I still had hope I could manage the pain till the age of 40, so by then scientists will invent something for people with injuries like mine. No luck. I’m only 28. And I can barely walk.
I got married. 7 month ago adorable twin daughters were born. Eva and Anna. Sunshine in my life. Along with sleepless nights, paying medical bills for babies’ delivery, being only one person who brings money into the family my pain achieved to the point I couldn’t tolerate. I always knew my ankle is in bad shape, but the doctor’s verdict was tough. End stage ankle osteoarthritis which led to first stage foot arthritis. All these years I was killing not only ankle but the foot too. It was compensating the load of not properly functioning ankle joint. Countless consultation with doctors, surgeons and physiotherapists brought me no closer to a solution. The only option they gave me is to fuse the ankle which will totally kill my foot after a while. And there is no treatment for foot arthritis. I began aggressively researching any other ways to stay on both feet without losing the limb. So I found the only one.
Exosym - IDEO brace. The only place that makes this brace is Hanger Clinic in Gig Harbor, WA. I’ve been approved as good candidate for it. Unfortunately, device is expensive and health insurance doesn’t cover it. I will do everything in my power to come up with the money but because of life circumstances there is no way I will be able to raise it without your help. There are no words strong enough to express my appreciation for spreading the word and your donation.
Hopefully soon I will become active dad for my little angels and strong husband for my incredible wife. And my I, Robot wish come true :)
Below is a link where you can read more about ExoSym brace
http://www.hangerclinic.com/bracing-support/adult-le/Pages/Limb-Salvage-ExoSym.aspx
Organizer
Bogdan Sendetskyi
Organizer
Clifton, NJ
