Charles Nobel is a 36-year-old transfemoral amputee who was injured at his home during the earthquake. He was unable to get immediate medical care because of the damage to hospitals in Port-au-Prince, but his family was eventually able to get him seen in Port-de-Paix. 15 days after his injuries he had to have his leg removed due to infection. He was fit this week with a prosthetic leg and took off walking without any assistive devices. It’s a privilege to work with such motivated amputees.
Emmanuel Valcin is a 44-year-old congenital quadrilateral amputee who has an extremely short transfemoral on the right side and short transfemoral on the left. He is also missing both hands above his wrists. He is in terrific shape and walks using custom crutches. His old prostheses were approximately 15 years old and the exoskeletal design made them very heavy. We’re able to fit him with lighter prostheses and crutches and he was delighted. He has perfected the use of his upper limbs and can put the prostheses on including tightening the straps. His attitude, work ethic, determination, and friendly disposition made him a joy to work with. He truly lived up to his name, “Emmanuel”. 
Here is a picture of three of the other patients I had the pleasure of fitting and working with this week. Their smiles and friendships are the reward.
