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| | | | Leo MoralesAt age 35, Leobardo “Leo” Morales was living the good life on the beautiful Mexican coast. Recently married and working as the branch manager of an international bank, everything was going well for him. That all changed in September 2008 when this healthy and athletic man was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer, chondrosarcoma. Leo’s leg was removed at the hip to prevent the disease from progressing. He woke from the surgery feeling scared. “The doctors were not sure that they were able to remove all the cancer,” remembers Leo. “All I could think about was how much I wanted to live, and all I had to live for.” Leo was told that in six months a body scan would be done to see if the cancer was successfully removed. Unable to control that outcome, he chose to concentrate on his rehabilitation. The #1 item on his list: getting a prosthetic leg.
As Leo recovered from the surgery, he quickly discovered that there were no state-of-the-art prosthetic facilities in Mexico, and that most amputees in his country were not mobile. “Those who had lost limbs were not active and did not function well in society,” he explains. Unwilling to accept that as his fate, Leo and his wife searched the internet for the best prosthetic facilities in the United States and Europe. In December 2008, with the support of family, friends and co-workers they embarked on a journey to visit each one of them and determine which would give Leo the best chance to walk again. Prosthetic & Orthotic Associates was the 8th facility they visited.
“After meeting with Stan and the POA staff we knew this was the right place,” says Leo. “We felt a deep level of trust and faith that they could help me, and they did.” Leo was fit with a custom NPS hip-disarticulate socket and within two days of his arrival was walking, using only a cane for support. In the evenings, he and his wife dined in restaurants and shopped at the Florida Mall. Leo continued working hard on his gait training at POA; soon the cane was discarded and his confidence renewed. Feeling grateful for all that he has experienced and accomplished in such a short time, Leo wants to make a difference in the lives of others. “I want to provide inspiration for other amputees, particularly hip-disarticulates, who think that walking is not possible. Everywhere I go in Mexico I am proud to show my prosthesis and tell people about my experience. I am so thankful for all I have received….I want to shout ‘POA! POA! POA!’ I want every amputee to know this quality of care is available.”
During a March 2009 visit back to POA for an adjustment, Leo shared some happy news – a recent body scan showed no sign of cancer! He is celebrating by making plans for his future, which include running in the New York City Marathon, getting back to scuba diving and perhaps learning how to golf. With a big grin he says, “I told Stan that I will be back to train with him, and we will do the marathon together, so he better get in shape!” | |
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Prosthetic & Orthotic Associates of Central Florida | (800) 745-2556 | (407) 245-7770 |
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