"My prostheses didn’t give me my old life back. They helped me build a new one."
Carla's Story
My Journey Back to Equestrian Sport – with VINCENTevolution Hand Prostheses
My name is Carla Maronda Tomás, I am 28 years old and I am from Valencia, Spain. In March 2024, I suffered a life-threatening case of fulminant sepsis that changed my life in an instant. Suddenly, I had to face a reality I could never have imagined: starting an entirely new life after the amputation of all four limbs.
Life After a Quadruple Amputation and My Journey Back to Equestrian Sport
Waking up after the amputations did not mean returning to the life I had known before. Instead, I had to start all over again. I had to relearn how to sit, maintain my balance, manage everyday tasks and, above all, accept my new body. It was a time filled with pain, fear and uncertainty. But I made one thing very clear to myself: I wanted to keep living – without giving up who I am.
Horses have been part of my life since I was eight years old. To me, riding is so much more than a hobby. Horses are my safe place, my passion and a way of making sense of the world. My horse, Bolero, has been by my side for many years and gives me strength and stability. After my sepsis, one thought kept coming back to me: Would I ever be able to get close to Bolero again? Would I ever feel that special connection again? Or was my story with horses and equestrian sport over for good?
The answer is no. My story was far from over.
How My VINCENTevolution Hand Prostheses Have Given Me Back Independence and Quality of Life
My hand prostheses from Vincent Systems are much more than technical devices to me. They help me regain my independence, confidence and ability to do things on my own. Thanks to them, I can once again do things that once seemed impossible. Step by step, I am finding my way back into everyday life and back to the person I have always been.
Behind every small achievement are countless hours of practice, adjustment and learning. My hand prostheses make this journey easier, more intuitive and more effective. At the stables, I know I can rely on them. I do not have to worry about whether they can handle a heavy bucket or whether they will get wet or dirty while I am taking care of my horse. My VINCENTevolution hand prostheses have become true companions.
They allow me to groom and stroke my horse just as I did before and to continue pursuing the passion that means so much to me. For me, that means regaining an important part of my life and my identity.
Today, I know that life can change completely in a single second. But I have also learned that there is always a way forward. My VINCENTevolution hand prostheses have not given me my old life back. They have helped me build a new one – a life in which my dreams, my love of horses and my desire to move forward without limits still have a place.
Why My VINCENTevolution Hand Prostheses Are the Perfect Fit for My Active Lifestyle
1. Robust and Easy to Clean – Even at the Stables
I notice every day at the stables just how robust my prostheses are. Whether it suddenly starts raining while I am out riding or they get dirty while I am mucking out the stalls, it is not a problem.
The VINCENTevolution is IP68-rated for water and dust protection. Combined with its silicone covering and seamless surface, this means the prostheses can be cleaned quickly and easily afterwards.
2. Independent at Work, Even with Bilateral Amputation
I also rely on my prostheses every day in my work as a lawyer. I can turn the pages of documents, type on my laptop or shake someone's hand. I can switch between 16 different grips and control my prostheses entirely through my muscle signals. I can even adjust the angle of my multi-axial wrists independently simply by hooking them into position.
As someone with a quadruple amputation, this is a huge advantage for me. I can operate both prostheses independently and do not have to rely on assistance in my everyday life. This independence gives me the confidence and flexibility I need in my profession.
3. A Secure Grip for Enjoying Everyday Life Without Worry
When I am out with family or friends, I want to enjoy the moment rather than constantly worrying about dropping something. Thanks to the silicone covering, high grip strength and integrated sense of touch, I can securely hold glasses, cutlery and other objects.
The prosthesis can also be locked into any grip, allowing me to securely hold and carry objects without having to worry about an involuntary muscle signal changing the grip. This means I can focus entirely on spending time with the people I love.
