In The News

Veteran walks for the first time in 27 years

By JERRY COON
Updated: 06.01.10

After losing both of his legs in the invasion of Grenada, veteran Harry Shaw was able to walk for the first time in nearly three decades.

Due to advancements in prosthetics by the Amputee & Prosthetic Center, amputee prosthetist Dr. Ben Falls and his team designed limbs for Shaw.

"Harry wanted to skydive a few weeks back, but his limbs weren't long enough and he was disappointed he couldn't do it," Falls said. "He tried to wear legs years ago; the technology just wasn't there yet."

Falls not only wears a computer-controlled prosthesis himself, but he is also considered the preeminent expert in microprocessor-controlled limbs.

The CAD/CAM system used for designing Shaw's prosthetic devices utilizes laser scanners to create a digital image of the limb, which allows for the prosthesis to be designed via computer. Shaw was excited for the new opportunity.

"I'm very happy. It's hard to get a grasp of all of this right now," he said. "I can get around in my chair very well; that's been fairly easy for me. So now I will have to learn this new way to get around."

Shaw came to Falls on May 24 to be measured for his prosthetics. By the end of the day, he was already standing in his custom prosthetics on the parallel bars.

"He went from not having legs Monday morning and two days later getting ready to walk again," Falls said. "We have that efficiency and we have determination from him. He has the will to do this."

Shaw said when he was wounded in 1983, nobody thought he was going to survive. But after everything that had happened, he was never discouraged.

"You have to have that can-do spirit. There aren't any obstacles greater than the space between your ears," Shaw said.

Shaw tried other options but never found anything that suited him. Now that the technology has come along, he's ready.

Falls said the center received the carver about six months ago and it's the only place in Houston with that technology.

Shaw said he wasn't used to having to pick out shoes.

"We were in Academy and it was very surreal being in the shoe section and not having to wait for a family member to make a selection; I was there for me," Shaw said.

For more information on the Amputee & Prosthetic Center, please call 713-669-1800 or visit www.myamputee.com.