We were glad that we had an MRI before the end of the year and the experts knew what could be used in the leg. All that was left was to produce the orthoprosthesis and finally put it on our son’s leg. We knew that Leo was an active child and we would need to address the issue of movement as soon as possible, so I started communicating with the amazing people at Pohlig. We are grateful for Ms. Moravcová and the expert, Mr. Musil, for their professionalism and truly individual and human approach. Their heart is in the right place and they support the children and adults incredibly.
In a phone call we received our pre-Christmas surprise – that we can undergo the plastering of the leg at the POHLIG premises in Vienna. It was a difficult process for our little one, as he was quite sensitive regarding his leg and the plastering was also aimed at straightening the leg itself. Our hero did great and we fully supported him. We returned home with a very pleasant feeling that we can end the year 2022 successfully. The next phase of our story continued in about 30 days (that’s how much time they needed to produce the aid itself).We were aware that the adaptation to the leg may involve repulsing, defiance, pain or even rejecting the new orthoprosthesis, but deep down we believed that Leo would handle it.
We have been looking forward to the end of January since Christmas 2022, as it was extremely important for us, but honestly, we also had concerns and mixed feelings. The “D” day arrived and we were going to the Pohlig branch in Vienna. We were warned in advance that the orthoprosthesis, i.e. the artificial leg, would first be disassembled in parts that needed to be connected and that it would take several hours to adjust the individual parts. Before the orthoprosthesis is made, you can choose a design that they will put on it. They showed us a part of the orthoprosthesis that had a picture of a street and road on it. We liked it and as we didn’t want to choose anything childish or silly. We wanted him to be proud of his little leg and accept it as part of his body from the beginning (and of course because he tends to like strong car and motorbike engines).
All morning the orthoprosthesis was tested, modified, adjusted and also processed until we got a break in which certain parts of the orthoprosthesis were to be connected. It is difficult for a non-professional to describe the entire technology. But with this information we try to prepare every parent and non-parent how the individual production of orthoprostheses works, whether for a healthy person after an injury or a person or child with a disability. The entire process was professionally monitored by specialists from Pohlig led by Mr. Musil. The whole day passed, the rooms for families were already empty but we were still waiting. Not only us, but also the team that had worked on the leg were exhausted. After the consultation, we decided to try out the almost finished orthoprosthesis at home for two weeks and then come back to pay for the material and service.
