ALLOWED TO BE A CHILD: HOW LIANA WAS ABLE TO RIDE AND SWIM AGAIN THANKS TO MACU4

Modern society often demands constant activity. For individuals living with limb loss, this expectation is not simply a social norm, but a health-related necessity. Yet, it is harder to stay active if one is missing a hand, arm, foot or leg.

In most cases, individuals with limb differences require a prosthesis to prevent a range of physical issues. After acquiring the prosthesis, they go through an extended period of observation and adjustment, only to sometimes realize that the expensive device still doesn’t meet their personal needs.

Although an active lifestyle is one of the most important factors taking into account when selecting a prosthesis. High-end devices ironically don’t always support the level of leisure activity desired - especially for children. 

That is the case with Liana, a cheerful 10-year-old girl whose parents are continually seeking new devices to improve her quality of life. Born without a right hand, Liana used a myoelectric prosthesis. Some time ago the family discovered and decided to try a device from the Swiss start-up Macu4.

After several years of trial and adaptation, the Red Line Foundation helped Liana to replace the previous system, resulting in greater happiness and freedom. Now Liana can ride a bike and attend compulsory swimming lessons at school. It is hard to assess what matters more to her – the gentle physical exercise of swimming or feeling integrated in her group of school friends.  

Rodion Butko, the President of the Board of Trustees of the Red Line Foundation, firmly believes that every improvement in the life of a young patient is worth the investment in each new prosthesis.