Meet Daniel: Prosthetic Journey As A New Amputee
Meet Daniel Laurel, a 31-year-old from Raleigh, North Carolina, who lost his leg below the knee after a traumatic motorcycle accident. From day one, Daniel was determined to regain his mobility and return to the active lifestyle he loved.
But for years, he struggled with discomfort, poor fit, and constant pain from prosthetic legs that didn’t meet his needs. As someone who’s always on the move, Daniel found it frustrating to be held back by the ongoing challenge of finding the right care.
Daniel reached out to our facility, A Step Ahead Prosthetics, hopeful for a solution—but travel logistics and insurance coverage made it difficult. Still, he never gave up.
A Life-Changing Prosthetic Grant
Despite the setbacks, Daniel stayed in touch with our team, searching for any opportunity to receive the care he needed. Eventually, he applied for support through the Heather Abbott Foundation. A Step Ahead and HAF work closely together in a collaborative effort to provide life-changing prosthetic solutions for individuals with limb loss or difference.
On Christmas Eve, during a virtual consultation, Erik Schaffer, C.P. and owner of A Step Ahead, joined Heather Abbott on Zoom to surprise Daniel with incredible news—he had been approved as a grant recipient.
With the grant covering a brand-new prosthetic leg, Daniel and his girlfriend packed their bags and traveled from North Carolina to our New York facility—ready to finally receive the care he had fought so hard for.
Three Days That Changed Everything
From the moment Daniel arrived at our facility, we hit the ground running. Within just three days, he was casted, fitted with a diagnostic socket, and walking confidently in a brand-new custom prosthetic leg.
After years of discomfort, setbacks, and frustration, Daniel finally experienced what he had been searching for: comfort, performance, and freedom.
“It’s the first time in a long time I’ve felt this free,” Daniel.
Daniel’s journey is a powerful reminder that when expertise meets determination, transformation is possible.
