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Meet Quintin!
Current Age: 67
Gender: Male
Amputation Level: Below Knee
Hometown: Northern Michigan
Age at amputation: 55
Cause: Medical—Cancer
Activity Level: High
My name is Quintin and I have been a client of the Stokosa
Prosthetic Clinic for about 10 years. I was referred to their
office by another one of their clients and am thrilled at
the amount of time, personal attention, and results that I
receive whenever I’m there.
My right leg was amputated below the knee 12 years ago due
to soft-tissue sarcoma. Not only did I have to worry about
a cancer diagnosis, but I had to face an unknown future—would
I still be able to walk? How would this affect my work? What
impact will this have on my family? Would I still be able
to still participate in the northern Michigan activities that
I loved so much?
When I was first fit with a prosthesis by a prosthetist in
my area, I had a considerable amount of pain and when I could
walk, I had to use crutches to support most of my body weight.
I continued to work with this prosthetist for a couple years,
but could not function at the level that I wanted to…at
the level I was at prior to my amputation. Then I had a chance
conversation with another one of their clients and decided
that I wanted to see what the Stokosa Prosthetic Clinic thought
they could do to help me.
After my consultation with Jan, I decided that I wanted to
work with him on my next prosthesis. He took the time to listen
to my concerns and to understand how important it was for
me to be able to walk again. He gave me many options to choose
from and was more than willing to let me try as many different
components as I felt I needed to. Jan and his staff pay the
strictest attention to detail and when I was first fit with
a temporary prosthesis, I was in and out in two appointments!
I was immediately able to use the prosthesis all day and had
no problems with pain or instability. I returned a few more
times to finalize my component selection and left with a definitive
prosthesis a few weeks later. Since that time, I’ve
only had to return for a few minor repairs and adjustments.
I’m still using that first prosthesis to this day—nine
years later.
I truly feel like I “come first” when I’m
at the clinic and believe that I was able to resume my lifestyle
because of Jan and the clinic. I golf more than I ever thought
I could and enjoy cross country skiing and fishing when I’m
not out on the course. “Thanks a gazillion, Jan!”
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