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A joint venture from Dorset Orthopaedic and Ottobock provides Emily Harris with a revolutionary sports blade so she can continue to pursue her Paralympic swimming dream.
Emily, aged 16, is a Paralympic standard swimmer and is earmarked for the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro. Born without the Tibia in her right leg, Emily had her right leg amputated through the knee when she was one year old.
Emily relies on a sports blade for her land training such as running and circuit training, in order to reach her peak fitness potential for swimming. Emily’s prosthetic limb is essential for her training, but her previous prosthesis had worn out beyond repair. Dorset Orthopaedic and Ottobock collaborated to donate a specialised sports blade for the athlete after a special request from the Paralympics organisation and Baroness Sue Campbell.
Emily’s mother Donna comments on the blade;
“Emily was very lucky that Dorset Orthopaedic and Ottobock heard about her positive outlook and her swimming aspirations and donated this high-tech prosthesis in order to support her training. Emily loves her new prosthesis and the responsiveness of the blade, it is a massive improvement from her last blade as she has a better range of movement on it and it gives her greater freedom to keep fit and participate in land training.”
In order to create a prosthesis specifically suited to Emily, Ottobock donated the hydraulic fitness knee and double curve carbon fibre blade, while Dorset Orthopaedic produced the Comfort Fit SocketTM, manufactured from super lightweight carbon fibre composite. Both Dorset Orthopaedic and Ottobock were recognised for their innovation in the design of this prosthesis and were shortlisted as finalists at the 2014 Sports Technology Awards in April under the category ‘Best Technology across Multiple Sports – Medical and Health’.
Dorset Orthopaedic Managing Director, David Hills comments;
“Emily has been a client of ours since she was 2 years old and we have watched with pleasure as she develops her swimming career. As she is anticipated for the Rio 2016 Paralympics, this prosthesis will benefit her greatly with her future training, hopefully allowing her to achieve her dreams of representing her country. We wish her all the best and look forward to watching how she gets on.”
Emily is ranked as one of the top ten swimmers in her age group and disability category in the world and is a hopeful for the Rio 2016 Games.
As well as studying for her GCSE’s Emily maintains her demanding swimming routine of 8 water sessions and 3 land sessions a week. Her sports blade is vital so that she can continue training at this level. The land training is specifically important for strengthening and conditioning, as well as improving a swimmers’ aerobic capacity.
“I am so proud and grateful that I have been able to receive this prosthesis and have been given the opportunity to use this technology. It enhances my quality of life and is vital for my training. The new blade is helping me to achieve what I always wanted to do, which is to make it to Rio.” (Emily Harris)
About Dorset Orthopaedic
As one of the UK’s leading providers of prosthetic, orthotic, silicone and rehabilitation services, Dorset Orthopaedic has the size, strength and skills to help clients live life without limits. With experience meeting the needs of complex cases and recognition as a world leader in silicone skin solutions, Dorset Orthopaedic is passionate about delivering exceptional products and support. www.dorset-ortho.com
