UK -- Eight-year-old Levana Hanson lost both legs to meningitis and endured 40 operations before having prosthetic legs fitted, according to mirror.co.uk .
Recently, the young karate student proudly walked onto the stage to collect her Child of Courage award from three (British pop group) Girls Aloud stars.
After recovering, the young girl bravely beat bullies near her home in Tewkesbury, by taking up karate.
Showing posts with label prostheses. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prostheses. Show all posts
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Saturday, July 25, 2009
An Improbable TKD Career
Colorado -- After overcoming bone cancer, 37-year-old Ben Schwenk underwent 17 surgeries in less than two weeks in 1990. His leg was amputated above the knee, but a radical operation preserved his calf muscle, quadriceps and hamstring. And it opened the door for an improbable taekwondo career.
Competing with a specially designed prosthetic leg, he has quickly climbed the ladder in the world's most practiced martial art, after taking up taekwondo in 2007 according to gazette.com.
Schwenk called his prosthetic leg a blessing in disguise. "I wouldn't be who I am without it," he said. "I wouldn't have experienced so many other things. I wouldn't have met my wife. I would have never gotten here. … I lost my leg, but I gained my life."
Competing with a specially designed prosthetic leg, he has quickly climbed the ladder in the world's most practiced martial art, after taking up taekwondo in 2007 according to gazette.com.
Schwenk called his prosthetic leg a blessing in disguise. "I wouldn't be who I am without it," he said. "I wouldn't have experienced so many other things. I wouldn't have met my wife. I would have never gotten here. … I lost my leg, but I gained my life."
Thursday, February 15, 2007
A Most Courageous Kid
Illinois -- Michael McCarthy was born with a severe birth defect in his legs that left him unable to walk.
When a Chicago family adopted him from a Russian children's home at age 4, Michael's only way to get around was to scoot on his hands.
After undergoing surgery at Children's Memorial Hospital and being fitted with two above-the-knee prostheses, Michael slowly taught himself to walk, first with a walker, then with crutches.
Michael, now 10, faced a tough new challenge Sunday. He was picked to lead off 2,400 people who climbed the 83-story Aon Center in a Children's Memorial fundraiser expected to raise $350,000.
Michael also has learned karate. His coach, Jeff Kohn, said that in his 30 years of teaching, Michael is "far and away the most extraordinarily courageous kid. He raises the level of everyone's expectations."
Source
When a Chicago family adopted him from a Russian children's home at age 4, Michael's only way to get around was to scoot on his hands.
After undergoing surgery at Children's Memorial Hospital and being fitted with two above-the-knee prostheses, Michael slowly taught himself to walk, first with a walker, then with crutches.
Michael, now 10, faced a tough new challenge Sunday. He was picked to lead off 2,400 people who climbed the 83-story Aon Center in a Children's Memorial fundraiser expected to raise $350,000.
Michael also has learned karate. His coach, Jeff Kohn, said that in his 30 years of teaching, Michael is "far and away the most extraordinarily courageous kid. He raises the level of everyone's expectations."
Source
Friday, January 12, 2007
He never quit
Louisville, Kentucky -- After more than two years and 33 surgeries, one thing became clear to Kevin Trees - perhaps his only chance to regain his active lifestyle and return to being a police officer was to have his leg amputated.
So, on October 3, 2005, Trees underwent his 34th surgery, losing his right leg above the knee.
But thanks to a high-tech titanium prosthesis, his determination and support of friends and family, Trees has returned to the force - having recovered enough from the off-duty April 2003 motorcycle crash that nearly killed him.
Then in February (2006), he started taking some martial arts classes with now-retired Maj. Bill Weedman. Trees credits those classes with making the difference in his physical recovery.
Eventually, Trees said, his strength and confidence returned. He's now able to run on a treadmill, work on martial arts and do many of the things he did before.
Source
So, on October 3, 2005, Trees underwent his 34th surgery, losing his right leg above the knee.
But thanks to a high-tech titanium prosthesis, his determination and support of friends and family, Trees has returned to the force - having recovered enough from the off-duty April 2003 motorcycle crash that nearly killed him.
Then in February (2006), he started taking some martial arts classes with now-retired Maj. Bill Weedman. Trees credits those classes with making the difference in his physical recovery.
Eventually, Trees said, his strength and confidence returned. He's now able to run on a treadmill, work on martial arts and do many of the things he did before.
Source
Sunday, April 16, 2006
Full life too busy for regrets
He was a 22-year-old on guard duty, inspecting U.S. Army fighting vehicles' hatches, when he backed into that cable.
"My brain has chosen to block it out," Paul Miosek says.
Six weeks later, he awoke from a coma. More than two years later, he was released from the last of five hospitals, an amputee who lost both legs and suffered brain injuries that impair his vision (it is still double in his right eye), motor movement, information processing and speech. He had to relearn how to do everything.
Today Miosek is a husband, a father, and he participates in Tae Kwon Do.
Source
"My brain has chosen to block it out," Paul Miosek says.
Six weeks later, he awoke from a coma. More than two years later, he was released from the last of five hospitals, an amputee who lost both legs and suffered brain injuries that impair his vision (it is still double in his right eye), motor movement, information processing and speech. He had to relearn how to do everything.
Today Miosek is a husband, a father, and he participates in Tae Kwon Do.
Source
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