 Name: Abby Kate Karafa
Age: 9 Years Old
Type of Amputation: Uni-Lateral B/K
 Abby Kate is a beautiful 9-year-old girl who loves animals and art. She is very active and participates in all types of extra-curricular activities. Born with amniotic band syndrome, Abby Kate is a right b/k amputee whose left foot is clubbed and missing three toes. Because of this, balance and stability have always been a concern for her.
 Abby Kate has been wearing the TruPer® Foot since December 2001. In the past, she experienced difficulties adapting to changes in her prosthesis. Her mother says she used to need to build-up her wearing time gradually otherwise Abby Kate was uncomfortable. After getting her TruPer Foot things were different - she was able to stay in school the entire next day without any discomfort, in fact she didn't feel the need to take her leg off after school like she had in the past.
 Sheri, Abby Kate's Mom, saw a dramatic difference in her daughter's gait right from the start and says; "I feel that the TruPer Foot has helped 'make-up' for the fact that her left leg was not perfect at birth. Her prosthetist [Tony Van Ess of Mary Free Bed Prosthetics in Grand Rapids, MI] and I agree that she has never walked or ran better."
 Recently Abby Kate has taken up downhill skiing and is very enthusiastic about it. Sheri feels that skiing has helped Abby Kate gain confidence in her abilities and has given her a huge sense of accomplishment and independence. She says, "I only wish she would have had the TruPer Foot much earlier. I feel it would have certainly helped her ability in all her other activities. The TruPer has made a big impact on Abby Kate's life and I wish every child amputee could have the opportunity to wear the TruPer Foot."
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