After an ATV accident led to an above-the-knee amputation of his left leg at age 17, Chandler Norman was determined to walk again.

“I had to go through a lot of healing, but I knew I would do whatever I had to do to walk again with a prosthetic leg,” he said.

And he did just that with the help of physical therapy at Methodist Outpatient Therapy and the expertise of Methodist Orthotics & Prosthetics, both located at Methodist Rehabilitation Center’s Flowood campus.

In 2015, Nancy Smith had to undergo a complete hip disarticulation to save her life. It’s an amputation of the entire leg through the hip joint, one of the rarest.

When she came to Methodist Rehabilitation Center for rehab after the surgery, she was surprised to find there was hope for her to walk again.

Methodist Orthotics & Prosthetics prosthetist Taylor Hankins had helped build prostheses for two patients with the same amputation. Most prosthetists may never see one in their entire career, as they account for less than 1 percent of all amputations.

After losing his right foot in an on-the-job accident, Brandon Vickers of Sturgis thought his summer pastime of wake boarding might be left high and dry.

Not so, thanks to a special waterproof prosthesis he wears that was customized by Methodist Orthotics & Prosthetics.

The Flowood clinic has the expertise, tools and technology to build whatever patients may need. So staff clinicians ask patients about which hobbies and interests they would like to get back to doing.

Now Brandon’s back on the water where he belongs, doing what he loves.

As a former boxer, bull rider and construction worker, tough guy Roy Eavenson was never the type to ask for help.

So imagine his frustration when he lost his left hand in an industrial accident. “I was real blue,” he said. “There were so many things I couldn’t do.”

But ever since Methodist Orthotics & Prosthetics custom-fit Eavenson with a bionic hand, he’s found few activities out of reach on his 30-acre spread in Covington County.

Houston, Miss. native Shaquille Vance thought his days of excelling at sports might be over after a 2009 sports injury forced an above-the-knee amputation of his right leg.

His athletic career began anew when Methodist Orthotics & Prosthetics custom built a hi-tech prosthetic running leg centered around a carbon-fiber blade known as a “cheetah” foot. And their continued support helped him make the 2012 U.S. Paralympic Team as a track and field competitior.

When she was asked to model her prosthesis for an Ossür ad, Ann Marie Rivera couldn’t say no to the Icelandic company that manufactured her left foot and ankle. 

“Being a nurse, I always like to help people,” she says. “I was glad to show that people can do whatever they love to do without any limitations.”

Josie Azlin loves following Daddy everywhere he goes, and Matt Azlin is happy to oblige. The jaunts are a joyous reminder that life is back to normal at the Leland family farm. “Whatever Daddy is doing, Josie and her big brother, Hayes, love to be with him,” says their mom, Katherine.
 
Azlin faced an uncertain future after an accident forced the amputation of his lower right leg. But he now feels comfortable and secure as he tromps across fields, climbs onto tractors or horses around with his two favorite farmhands.
 

After his lower left leg was amputated, Kenny Buford of Crystal Springs expected a life full of limitations.

Then the Navy veteran met Brad Kennedy, a Methodist Orthotics & Prosthetics staffer who once bicycled across Europe to showcase the capabilities of his high-tech artificial leg.

“He’s an above-the-knee amputee, and he really inspired me,” says Kenny. “He made me realize I can do anything I want.”