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Becoming Bionic
Q. What is bionic?
A. Having ordinary human powers increased by the aid of mechanical devices.
Hi there, and thanks for stopping by my GoFundMe page!
My name is Jesse Horne and I am launching this campaign because I have a life changing opportunity in the very near future. This opportunity will help me achieve my goal of pain-free walking, and may even allow me to run again one day! Please help support me return to the active, adventure-filled life I lived to the fullest before my accident.
How did I end up needing a bionic leg?
I’m sure many of you in the climbing community, my friends and family already know my story and journey to becoming bionic, which started over a decade ago. For those of you who don’t know, let me take you back to 2005, deep in the Australian Outback. Hours and hours away from any hospital, and miles away from home.
In March of 2005, while I was rock climbing at Mount Arapiles, Australia, I fell about 18m (60 feet) to the base of the mountain, shattering my tibia and fibula at the ankle of my right leg. The surgeon's salvaged what they could of the bones, however all the cartilage in my ankle was destroyed. I was left with less than 10% range of motion in my ankle. I couldn't walk for 8 months. I never ran again. I was 24 years old.
But that didn't stop me.
My recovery actually went better than the doctors in Australia thought. Although I needed pain medication, I was able to improve my climbing skills and, in 2009, I even climbed Mount Kenya (5,199m). Unfortunately, things stopped improving and just under two years ago, abruptly began deteriorating.
Here is what most of you don't know.
I was 33 years old in September 2015, the pain in my ankle intensified greatly to the point of where it hurts daily, no matter the usage. My work and day-to-day activities (eg. grocery shopping and my job) became physically challenging, some days impossible. My activity level dropped 80 % - 90 %. I withdrew from my friends and family, feeling like I had nothing to talk about but pain and frustration.
I consider myself to be incredibly fortunate for surviving my fall. I’m also grateful to the doctors and my family for helping me then, and always. But, with the pain and frustration, over time my ability to stay positive and focus on living a passion-filled life has dwindled quicker than I could have imagined.
This brings us back to the life changing opportunity I have before me.
After considering other treatments, like amputation, my brother mentioned to me that someone in a similar situation had found a solution in the IDEO or ExoSym brace available at the Hanger Clinic in Gig Harbor, Washington.
The ExoSym leg brace invented by Ryan Blanck (via the U.S. Military), is a highly sophisticated, light-weight limb-salvage device. Mechanically, it will allow for pain - free walking, running and better body alignment.
Just before Christmas, I found out the Hanger Clinic accepted my application and I was able to book my treatment schedule! My motivation has already started to return, but there are challenges ahead.
This is where I could really use your help to make this possible.
Money Matters:
As you have probably already figured out, this American-made brace is expensive. It's not covered by any sort of government funding or any insurance. I will be paying the full amount out of pocket. The cost of the device is $9,000.00 US funds. Included in this cost will be: physical evaluation, casting, fabrication and fitting of the test device, followed by the actual carbon fibre brace. Also included are the associated functional costs for the training of use and any adjustments. In a few weeks, on Feb. 6, I am travelling to Seattle and will spend the better part of 2 weeks in close proximity to the clinic to be on-site for the whole process.
What can you do?
· I would ask that you share this link ExoSym with others so that anyone who lives with lower limb pain can learn about the ExoSym brace. It could make a huge difference in their lives, as well as potentially further the development of the technology.
· Please share my link to anyone you believe would be interested in providing any assistance to my campaign.
· I am also asking for any financial assistance you are willing to provide. Every little bit will have a huge impact!
Be sure to check here often for updates! I'll be at the Hanger Clinic Feb. 7 - 15 and taking lots of pictures on my road to my #roboleg and #becomingbionic.
Thank you for your time and support in helping me become bionic!
Sincerely,
Jesse Horne
Q. What is bionic?
A. Having ordinary human powers increased by the aid of mechanical devices.
Hi there, and thanks for stopping by my GoFundMe page!
My name is Jesse Horne and I am launching this campaign because I have a life changing opportunity in the very near future. This opportunity will help me achieve my goal of pain-free walking, and may even allow me to run again one day! Please help support me return to the active, adventure-filled life I lived to the fullest before my accident.
How did I end up needing a bionic leg?
I’m sure many of you in the climbing community, my friends and family already know my story and journey to becoming bionic, which started over a decade ago. For those of you who don’t know, let me take you back to 2005, deep in the Australian Outback. Hours and hours away from any hospital, and miles away from home.
In March of 2005, while I was rock climbing at Mount Arapiles, Australia, I fell about 18m (60 feet) to the base of the mountain, shattering my tibia and fibula at the ankle of my right leg. The surgeon's salvaged what they could of the bones, however all the cartilage in my ankle was destroyed. I was left with less than 10% range of motion in my ankle. I couldn't walk for 8 months. I never ran again. I was 24 years old.
But that didn't stop me.
My recovery actually went better than the doctors in Australia thought. Although I needed pain medication, I was able to improve my climbing skills and, in 2009, I even climbed Mount Kenya (5,199m). Unfortunately, things stopped improving and just under two years ago, abruptly began deteriorating.
Here is what most of you don't know.
I was 33 years old in September 2015, the pain in my ankle intensified greatly to the point of where it hurts daily, no matter the usage. My work and day-to-day activities (eg. grocery shopping and my job) became physically challenging, some days impossible. My activity level dropped 80 % - 90 %. I withdrew from my friends and family, feeling like I had nothing to talk about but pain and frustration.
I consider myself to be incredibly fortunate for surviving my fall. I’m also grateful to the doctors and my family for helping me then, and always. But, with the pain and frustration, over time my ability to stay positive and focus on living a passion-filled life has dwindled quicker than I could have imagined.
This brings us back to the life changing opportunity I have before me.
After considering other treatments, like amputation, my brother mentioned to me that someone in a similar situation had found a solution in the IDEO or ExoSym brace available at the Hanger Clinic in Gig Harbor, Washington.
The ExoSym leg brace invented by Ryan Blanck (via the U.S. Military), is a highly sophisticated, light-weight limb-salvage device. Mechanically, it will allow for pain - free walking, running and better body alignment.
Just before Christmas, I found out the Hanger Clinic accepted my application and I was able to book my treatment schedule! My motivation has already started to return, but there are challenges ahead.
This is where I could really use your help to make this possible.
Money Matters:
As you have probably already figured out, this American-made brace is expensive. It's not covered by any sort of government funding or any insurance. I will be paying the full amount out of pocket. The cost of the device is $9,000.00 US funds. Included in this cost will be: physical evaluation, casting, fabrication and fitting of the test device, followed by the actual carbon fibre brace. Also included are the associated functional costs for the training of use and any adjustments. In a few weeks, on Feb. 6, I am travelling to Seattle and will spend the better part of 2 weeks in close proximity to the clinic to be on-site for the whole process.
What can you do?
· I would ask that you share this link ExoSym with others so that anyone who lives with lower limb pain can learn about the ExoSym brace. It could make a huge difference in their lives, as well as potentially further the development of the technology.
· Please share my link to anyone you believe would be interested in providing any assistance to my campaign.
· I am also asking for any financial assistance you are willing to provide. Every little bit will have a huge impact!
Be sure to check here often for updates! I'll be at the Hanger Clinic Feb. 7 - 15 and taking lots of pictures on my road to my #roboleg and #becomingbionic.
Thank you for your time and support in helping me become bionic!
Sincerely,
Jesse Horne