David's C-Leg 4 Story.
Charity Champion David Chooses C-Leg For Cycling Adventures.
The vice-president of the Limbless Association says the Ottobock C-Leg 4 microprocessor knee (MPK) has given him instant confidence as he looks forward to an active retirement.
David Rose, 62, of Wivenhoe, Essex, lost his leg in 1979 when a car drove on the wrong side of the road and into his motorcycle. A keen motorcyclist at the time — he took part in track racing for three years prior to his accident — David was fortunate to survive the crash at all. But he was determined to achieve two things in his recovery, ride a bike and play cricket.
Over the years, David learned to use his mechanical knee to do both, playing club cricket for Ampthill Town and riding a bike again. But as he reached retirement age his two favourite activities became tougher.
He said: “I have an electric bike, which helps me up hills, and I love going out on it. Being on two wheels makes me happy, my wife and I ride together as much as we can. It’s part of who I am, so I wanted a prosthesis which would help me do that, and work for me rather than against me.
“When I first tried the C-Leg on at my local limb centre, the Harold Wood Hospital, I went straight out on my bike to see how it felt. It worked right away, and just felt good. To have that instant confidence in something was really refreshing.
“I can’t wait to see where the C-Leg can take me.”
David, who is a magistrate, has been involved with the Limbless Association almost since its inception 35 years ago, and helped establish the charity’s Volunteer Visitor scheme, where an amputee meets with someone who has gone through an amputation or is about to, to provide advice and support. He was made an honorary vice-president 20 years ago.
“A patient will hear about positive outcomes from many people — their surgeon, physiotherapist, and prosthetist — but we believe it is really important they hear from someone who has been through it too, and who can show them the possibilities available to them, especially with the incredible advances in prosthetics we’ve seen,” he said. “People with limb loss can do so much more today, than they could, say, 20 years ago. I can say I’m also proof of that with my bike and my C-Leg.”
