Introduction

Hello, I'm the Keen Hero (KH), some of you will know me by my real name, but that's my name here on my bLeg. This is my initial step on a project I have to raise awareness for amputees about the standards in prosthetics that should be available to them, and providing us with a unified network that can be proactive in the pursuit of better standards. By uniting, we have a louder voice than standing alone, even if, united, we have diverse views.

So I aim to unite as many amputees as possible, and the best way I can think to do that, is to provide them with some of the information, that only a select few are occasionally privy to. In this respect, I consider myself a priveliged amputee, as I have literally had one foot in the door of one of the biggest companies in the prosthetics industry since I had my right leg amputated, indirectly related to cancer (more about that later) about 5 years ago. At that time, a new prosthetic component was being launched on the market, and I just happened to fit the profile and was ready at the right time to be the first amputee to try the product commercially in Denmark.

Both product and company being so high profile, the company followed my progress carefully, and took me to a few conferences, exhibitions and seminars in Scandinavia. I always got to see the newest products, hear the latest developments, and I was given regular gait coaching (teaching you to walk nicely) from often the best specialists in the world. I've also taken part in various testings of components, workshops for prosthetists, demonstrations, to name just what I can remember off hand. Since then, I have been involved with subsequent launches of new products, and the foot in the door looks like it's aligned and locktighted! Since last year my travels have gone far beyond Europe and I've gathered ever more knowledge and contacts - intercontinentally.

The trouble is, most amputees, as I said before, doesn't get to see all this. Even the other amputees I've met in my travels, are often amazed to discover that with a bit of tweaking, training, and encouragement, they can walk without a limp, walk without pain, and often even achieve running and sports. If there's something you want to do, chances are, there's a right combination of components for you out there, and I'm hoping by empowering you with that knowledge, you can put more demand on the people involved with providing your artificial leg(s) and rehabilitation. We will sometimes be met with resistance, but if the pressure is constant, the resistance will buckle. This is why I want you to read this bLeg regularly, post constructive critique, tell me what you'd like to see on the forthcoming site, and tell all the amputees you know about it.

For this to work, there has to be a lot of us. I'm aiming high with this one, striving to create a body that can influence the market in our favour, so please, let me know what I'm doing right, and what I'm doing wrong, just keep reading.

Thanks

The Keen Hero