Home    Clients    Staff    Contact    Locations    FAQs    Technology    Devices    In the News    Links    Payment    Warranty At The Center, our clients are a constant source of inspiration to us. We thought you might find their stories inspirational as well, and so we have invited some of them to share their thoughts here. Meet Johnny!  No, he’s not trying out for the lead role in Phantom of the Opera! He’s just an athlete whose nose has seen plenty of action. His doctors advised him that another fracture to his nose would be ill-advised and so Johnny and his mom were on a mission to find a nose protector if, indeed, one existed. Trouble is, they don't! After a number of unsuccessful attempts purchasing various products that might offer some degree of protection to his nose, his mother, a family care physician in private practice in the York, PA area, called us as retail options weren't working. Interestingly, our president and senior orthotic practitioner, Phil Meyers, CO, had fabricated many such devices for athletes over the years and quickly scheduled an appointment for a casting. Utilizing a unique casting procedure he devised about 16 years ago, an incredibly accurate model of Johnny’s face was obtained which was used to make a plaster mold. Over this mold, a thermoplastic sheet was draped which, when placed under vacuum, drew against all the subtle features of Johnny’s plaster face. Once cooled, the finished trim-lines were decided on and the final fit and delivery of Johnny’s new custom-fabricated nose protector was accomplished. He was able to play in a baseball tournament soon after receiving the face shield and said that he did so with great confidence. He reported back to us that the general fit of the nose protector was “…much better than I thought it would be…”. He seems really happy that he found exactly the right thing for his particular problem. We are really happy that his mom thought to contact "The Center". Creative solutions to unique problems. That’s exactly why you choose "The Center"! Hi, I am Paige. I am a six year old girl who was diagnosed with osteosarcoma (bone cancer) in my right femur and had rotationoplasty. I was fitted with my prosthetic and I am slowly learning how to walk with it. Everything is going well and I am cancer free! "The Center" was great. The guys were great on fitting my prosthetic. With all of the hours they spent making it, and all the adjustments they do, I am very pleased with my prosthesis. This is Jan. I work at Harley as a mechanic. My job involves pushing big bikes around all day between working on them. I also work a lot of overtime. I love to ride. I lost my leg above the knee when I had an accident on my Harley. But riding is something I love to do, so I got another bike and attached a side car to make it more stable to ride when wearing a prosthesis. The custom paint job is awesome. My C-Leg Prosthesis (computerized knee) lets me do a lot of things I couldn't do when I had a hydraulic knee. When my toe drags, I don't fall anymore because the computer reads and controls every step. I enjoy getting away to go hunting. And, I go 4-wheeling a lot. I try not to think about things I can't do, but just concentrate on the things I can. I say, “Just enjoy life.” I don't think about the bad things because it can become too depressing. I did go to counseling after my amputation, and that helped. This is Rose and a collage that she created. When I was 24 years old I was in a car accident and lost my left leg below the knee. I was already in shock over the death of my husband just four months before, and now I had to learn to deal with having only one leg and learning to walk again. It seemed that friends didn't know how to deal with my amputation. I lost my self esteem and was afraid of what other people would think about me. I had loved sports and had been very active, and now my doctor was telling me that I would not be able to swim or play sports anymore. I had pain in the leg that wasn't even there. I was devastated and ready to give up hope. One day I woke up and told myself, “It doesn't matter what other people think. I need to do this for myself. I need to do this for my son. I CAN do this.” With God’s help I summoned up the strength to learn how to walk with a prosthesis, and then how to do other things to make my days enjoyable again. I found the courage to move on with life. Today I go swimming, play tennis, ride my bike, join in ball games, play my guitar, am active in my church, and stay involved with other people. I no longer worry about what other people think, and actually enjoy showing off my new prosthetic leg. I especially like when children ask me questions about my leg and I can show them how it works. I learned that life isn't about what we have, but is about what we can give to others. My first prosthesis had a socket with a metal tube, a rubber foot, and a leather strap to fasten above my kneecap. When I first saw it I screamed! I was afraid it would always look like that. Over the next ten years I received other prostheses, but they never seemed to allow me to feel as though I could walk right. Then I met Marci from "The Center". There was something special about her. She showed me that I could be more comfortable and could walk normally with better fitting sockets and newer type feet. She showed me that with a socket that locks into place, I would no longer have my leg accidentally fall off. She showed me that a prosthesis can look “like a leg” as well. I felt that she was there for me. I have been a client of "The Center" for many years now. The company is like family to me, and I know I can count on them. I was really excited to be able to spend the day and ride with the bicyclists of Amputees Across America when they came to York in 2004. I share with them the belief that “life is what you want it to be”. Everyone can find ways to bring more meaning and more joy to their own lives and the lives of others. I had to learn to do some things a little differently than before my amputation, and I had to learn that “I” was worth the effort. I have since been blessed with five precious grandchildren who keep me active and on my toes! This is Scott. In 1971 I lost my left hand and wrist because of an accident. I had a farm and a job as a meat cutter, so I needed a heavy duty prosthesis. The gripping part of it is called a “Farmer’s Hook” because it is made large enough to hold tools like shovels and rakes. I don't use a mechanical “hand” because I find the hook to be more useful for the things I do. I could have switched to an electronic hand down the line, but I've been happy with what I have. After I went through rehab, I was able to return to work and to running my farm. I never let my amputation hold me back. I've had a number of prostheses since my accident. Marci has been my prosthetist for over 20 years now. I had been having problems getting a prosthesis that fit well and operated in the way I needed it to, and so I decided to try a new prosthetist. That’s when I first made an appointment with Marci to see if she could help me. I explained that when I reached above my head to grab hold of a side of beef as it came along the conveyor line, the harness on my prosthetic arm would slip in a manner that made it impossible for me to operate the hook. Even worse was that the existing style of harness was causing me to get nerve damage where the strap looped under my right arm, and this would cause my right arm to go numb. Marci took the time and worked with me until she designed a new and unique method of making the prosthetic harness. It was made to shift the weight of anything I carried to my shoulder instead of to my armpit. Plus the straps were run in such a way that I could operate the hook even when I held it above my head. There was not another prosthesis like it in the world. Years later, gel liners with a pin attachment at the end arrived on the market. They were originally produced as a way to hold Below the Knee (leg) prostheses onto the residual limbs of someone who lost a leg. Marci suggested that we could use this technology for me as a way to further increase my comfort and to make the prosthesis even easier to use. She explained that with a pin-locking liner, I could shift the weight of the prosthesis (and of anything I carried with my prosthesis) back to my left arm where it belonged, instead of placing it around the right shoulder as was customary. Then she would also be able to fashion a simple loop to loosely go around my right arm as a means of opening the hook. This new arm that Marci created made a huge difference because I no longer had constant pressure around my right shoulder. I've been very happy with the work I've had done by the staff of "The Center" and with the way they treat people. That was something I wasn't used to from other companies I had tried. I've got a lot of respect for Marci and her staff. I don't plan to go anywhere else! I'm supposed to be retired, but I seem to be busier than ever. I still work at meat cutting, farming, and carpentry. But now my wife and I can also take time off to travel and relax. This is Charles. I lost both legs because of blocked arteries that restricted the flow of blood to my lower legs and feet. I do not have diabetes. On January 15, 2004, doctors performed by-pass surgery in my groin. It was too little too late--my feet were extremely painful. My legs were amputated May 4, 2004. I thank "The Center" for their professional services. The fit is near perfect. I look forward to my final pair of legs. This is Thad. On April 28, 2002, I was riding my motorcycle on the road where I lived when I was struck by a speeding car that came into my lane. Two weeks later I woke up in the hospital only to realize that I had lost my left leg above the knee. Months of rehab, depression, pain and adjustments followed. My girlfriend of five years left me I lost my job because I could not return. I have to say that it was the low point of my life. I have to say that I am doing much better today. I went back to work in March of 2004 for a company who helps disabled people. The depression is gone, pain is under control, and my prosthetic works great for me. The only thing that I am missing is the girlfriend, so if you are cute and interested contact "The Center" and they will contact me!! This was a life-changing event to say the least. I was 24 years old when the accident happened. I am 27 today and happy to be here. I would like to say only one thing about "The Center"--they are great! They have been nothing but first rate and professional with me. I had my choice of 3 different prosthetic companies and chose "The Center" after meeting Marci, and I'm glad I did! This is Louise. I was in an auto accident 12 years ago which caused an amputation of my left arm above the elbow. I enjoy cooking and have found many useful items that assist me with cooking. This summer I canned some fruits and vegetables, and also made jellies. One thing I have learned is to always think ahead, “Am I able to do that task with the help of the prosthesis? Do I need extra “gadgets” to help me? Will I be doing the task by myself or will I have the option of someone else’s help?” I don’t like to give up so I usually find a way to complete the task. Marci and her staff have been a blessing to me. I was hospitalized at the Hershey Medical Center and had begun working with their prosthetic staff. I was not satisfied with the care I was getting, went to Hangar Prosthetics in E’town, and someone there referred me to Marci. I was told she was just starting her own business and was well qualified to work with arm amputees (there aren’t many of us). I have been with "The Center" for over 10 years.