“Before I received my prosthesis, I was very depressed. But when we walked out of the Arm Dynamics center after receiving my device, my mom said she saw a new person.” -Ashley

In June of 2023, Ashley, who is in her mid-twenties, was working at her job as a FedEx courier in Wisconsin. An accident happened at the airport  she was run over by a commander vehicle, a small car with a conveyer belt that sends packages up to planes. Ashley was dragged about 20 feet. She sustained many injuries, but “My mom said angels were looking out at me that day, because we can't believe I only lost a finger. Surprised everyone.” Ashely says “only” because it’s just one finger  but one finger can be crucial, both physically and emotionally.

“I struggled with my self-worth. Not wanting to live and thoughts like that. I spoke with my therapist a lot they were so helpful. One thing that really helped was my boyfriend, who kept telling me my hand is beautiful. That helped my self-esteem. Or my dad, he said, ‘Oh, I don’t even notice.' My dad was the first person to say that, and it made me cry happy tears.”

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Ashley and her boyfriend

In November of that year, Ashley received her first prosthesis at our Minneapolis, MN, center. “Right after the accident, I started going to a hand therapist, and the first question they asked me was ‘Would you like a prosthesis?’ My mom and I had already been talking in the hospital about prosthetics, maybe I could get one, maybe that would help, sort of, bring my finger back.” Ashley’s hand therapist recommended the Arm Dynamics clinical team, and her first prosthesis was a Point Design Digit, which is a passive positional device. That means it doesn’t move on its own  Ashley has to move it into position with her other hand or by pressing it against a firm surface like her thigh, or a tabletop. “By now, I know how many clicks it needs to get to the position I need for whatever task it is I’m doing.”

Ashley’s prosthesis helps her with small stuff and big stuff. “Without it, I struggle to pick up a cup of coffee. Or I can pick it up, but I can’t keep a hold of it. I’ve spilled a lot of coffee. My prosthesis also helps me with how much I can lift. Part of the rest of my hand was injured in the accident, my middle finger and my thumb were very badly bruised honestly, I was so afraid they were going to amputate my thumb, too so I’ve struggled with how much I can lift at work, and how much I can lift at the gym. There were all these things I used to be able to do that suddenly I could not do  that’s what affected my mental health so much. I took advantage of having 10 fingers for so long and then one day my finger is gone – if you think it can never happen to you and then it happens, it’s really hard.”

But things have been improving since Ashley received her device. In addition to her passive finger prosthesis, she received a second prosthesis at the beginning of this year. “The skin where my finger was amputated is so sensitive. Like, I can’t brush it against anything without feeling pain. So that affected how I was using my hand whenever I wasn’t wearing the prosthesis. My prosthetic team made me a hand protector  it’s soft silicone and I love it. I’m a big flannel fan, and I love the colors pink and yellow, so they made me a pink and yellow flannel design. Brianne [the prosthetic assistant who helps create the devices at our Minneapolis center] even made me a ring to go with it.”

Ashley Passive Silicone Protector

Ashley returned to work about three months ago. She had returned before but wound up back on disability due to her limits on how much weight she could pick up. She’ll be off “temporary return to work” soon and getting back to a normal schedule. “I’m up to lifting 32 pounds with both hands, and I started out at two pounds with both hands.” Ashley is getting back to work and getting back to her hobbies. “Badminton, going to the gym, weightlifting. I love to hike, though my leg was injured in the accident too, so I can’t go as far as I’d like, but walking does feel good.”

Another thing that feels good? The support from her family and friends. “I didn’t know how many people loved me until the accident happened. So many people called me  I think I got over 100 texts the day of my accident. It was overwhelming. I was like, I can’t answer these all right now, but I know they love me. And my mom has been there every step of the way.” Ashley’s accident actually led her to discover a couple of other people in her family who had various hand injuries that she hadn’t known about before. “It was a way to connect, and they were able to tell me a lot of positive things that have helped me get through this. My brother and I are more open with our feelings now as well. And everyone at work has been so happy  when I came back, when I can do a little more, everyone has been so supportive.”

As Ashely approaches the two-year anniversary of her amputation, what advice does she have for those who are just starting their journey? “Just take it one day at a time, because you’re not going to get where you want to be overnight. Yes, you are going to get frustrated, but in the end, you have not a replacement  but you have something, your prosthesis, that will help you do many things you couldn’t do without it. It does take time to get used to the prosthesis, but you’re going to be so grateful you have it.”

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We’re glad to hear that Ashley’s device has provided her with so much, both psychologically and physically. The prosthetist at our Minneapolis center, Andy, and his prosthetic assistant, Brianne (mentioned above) spent a lot of time listening to what Ashley wanted and needed from her prostheses. Our occupational therapist at that center, Becky, helped Ashley learn how to use her passive positional device before she took it home.

If you, or someone you know, would like to learn more about the prosthetic care our five centers provide, please contact us. If you’d like to leave a comment for us, or for us to pass along to Ashely, please do so below.

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