High-tech you can touch: Why I wear my prosthesis openly

By Tim

 

Hello! I’m Tim, 33 years old, living with my wife in Stuttgart, and I have been a prosthesis user for 10 years.

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I have always been a very active and athletic person—even the accident that left me wearing a prosthetic arm for the past 10 years hasn't changed that. Nevertheless, such an event brings with it a number of new challenges. In addition to coping with everyday life, I also had to get used to a new body image. Suddenly, you no longer look like everyone else, which can be particularly difficult for young people.​

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As an engineer, I have always been very interested in technology. So it was clear to me from the outset that my prosthesis should be visible. Personally, I have always preferred to wear it openly rather than covering it with sleeves or gloves. Today, I wear a myoelectric upper arm prosthesis with an active elbow and a VINCENTevolution from Vincent Systems – all in black.

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The “robotic” look of my left arm often sparks curiosity and fascination. Because I wear my prosthetic arm openly, people frequently approach me with questions. I can then decide for myself whether I feel like explaining my bionic prosthetic hand or not.

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Beyond public perception, aesthetics also play an important role in personal acceptance. The fact is, if you do not feel comfortable with your prosthesis, you are less likely to wear it consistently. This may lead to doing certain tasks without the prosthesis, even though a myoelectric prosthetic arm would actually be well suited for them.

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Fortunately, today there are many ways to customize the appearance of a prosthesis according to personal preferences. Often, prosthetists can incorporate visual customization directly during the fabrication of the socket. Covers allow for interchangeable looks for different occasions, and prosthetic hands are now available in an increasing variety of colors. The prosthetic hands from Vincent Systems, for example, are offered in numerous color combinations for both aluminum and silicone components.

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For my wedding this spring, I wore a light-colored suit. Since my regular prosthetic hand created a strong contrast, I borrowed a VINCENTevolution bionic hand in cream white and gold. The prosthesis blended perfectly with my outfit and complemented the look for this special occasion.

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The design philosophy of Vincent Systems has always emphasized open design. For their commitment to developing prosthetic hands that combine advanced functionality with visible high-tech aesthetics, without cosmetic gloves, the company received the German Design Award in 2014.

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Personally, I am very grateful to wear such a high-tech prosthetic device, one that I can fully rely on in everyday life as well as on special occasions. At the same time, I am excited about the future of modern prosthetic technology and look forward to the innovations yet to come.