Life-changing work
A bionic grandad, a Paralympic swimming hopeful and an army veteran who elected to have his leg amputated, a special TV series goes behind the scenes of our Dorset Prosthetics Centre and meets three patients whose lives have been changed by the skills, innovation and dedication of all those who work there…
The teams in our Dorset Prosthetic Centre at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital care for more than 900 patients. From babies and toddlers right through to centenarians, once they become part of this prosthetics community, they are supported for life.
A special three-part series with BBC South Today shone a spotlight on the service and introduced us to three people benefiting from the creativity and craftsmanship, as well as the psychological and therapeutic support, of the Dorset team.
Charlie Holford, 34, is a Dorset army veteran who describes having his leg removed was one of ‘the best days of his life’. Charlie suffered from complex regional pain syndrome following an accident while on military training and has now gone on to become an international athlete and cross fit gym owner.
Charlie Holford
Isabella Haynes from Wimborne has her sights set on the next paralympic games in LA. The 16-year-old freestyle swimmer has grown up without her right leg and her swimming ability was spotted by a scout two years ago. She has been supported by the Dorset Prosthetics Centre since she was born.
Isabella
And Dr Rob Mannion is proof that age is no barrier to the latest technology. In the last few months the team has been working with 78-year-old ‘bionic grandad’ to fit the latest electric hand.
Dr Rob Mannion
WATCH!
You can meet Charlie, Isabella and Rob by catching up on all the episodes here:
