 Name: Elena Oliveri
Type of Amputation: Uni-Lateral B/K
Living in Italy during World War II, Elena Oliveri was just seven years-old when a cannon explosion caused her to lose her left leg and become a below-the-knee amputee. Now, over sixty years later Elena is enjoying life while her Accent foot helps her to get around.
Elena was introduced to the Accent foot by her Prosthetist, Tim Salley at Wright & Filippis. "It was like walking on a soft cloud!" Elena exclaims. Elena has tried several types of the non-heel height adjustment prosthetic feet, which have not given her the opportunity to choose different types of shoes. Since her amputation she has had her prosthetic feet adjusted with a 2 inch heel height so she could wear high heels. "Now for the first time in my life I am able to wear sneakers!" Elena says with a smile.
Since putting on her Accent foot, Elena says, "Now I walk with more confidence, I am fully functioning in routine life's work, and it feels amazing."
Elena isn't the only one who is impressed with the Accent foot she is wearing but her granddaughter was extremely impressed with the toes of the Accent foot. "She was bragging to her friends about it." Elena recalls, "She said you're a real cool Nona with your new toe nails, and your leg is so soft, it feels real!"
When Elena has free time, she enjoys dancing with her husband and pointed out, "Now I am able to wear open toe sandals or high heels and it feels great!" Elena goes on to say, "Before I had difficulties walking on an incline or downward inclines, even irregular pavements or slippery areas such as ice and snow gave me problems, with the Accent I can walk with ease."
Elena has also found a great deal of her enjoyment gardening and she is walking up to a mile a day on her treadmill. "I would never be able to do this without my Accent foot, when I am on my treadmill it is so natural, so soft, it's not like the hard pound that I would get from my previous foot, it feels like nothing, I could keep going and going, it's just incredible."
Since Elena found the College Park Accent, she feels that her life has been changed for the better. "This was by far the best gift in my lifetime, besides having my children!" says Elena. "With this prosthesis I feel young and energetic again!"
|