Bert Pot

Case History

On the night of November the 22nd 2006 time stood still and my world changed. I worked on the night shift. It was my turn to clean the rollers. I work in an industry that produces massive cardboard.

Several weeks before this night another colleague almost got stuck between the same rollers. One colleague climbs on a ladder while two other colleagues hold that same ladder. During this event the brakes of the roller suddenly came loose and my colleague who was standing on the ladder almost got caught between the roller and the wall. Fortunately my colleague wasn’t injured, but the accident made a great impression on us.

So, when it was my turn to climb the ladder for the cleaning I decided to approach the rollers from the upper side. Now I wish I had never taken that decision... I still have no memory about the following seconds. I don’t know what went wrong but in a very short moment my left hand disappeared between the rollers. The funny thing was that I did not feel much pain although my hand was immediately amputated. Luckily my colleagues responded quickly to my cry for help and freed me from the rollers. They gave first aid and called the alarm number. The first thought  that went through my mind wasn’t “I lost my hand” but “I will never be able to drive my motorbike again”. ( I was and still am a passionate biker). After  the nurse and doctor stabilized me I was taken to the hospital. The whole time I stayed conscious. In the ambulance they gave me an injection with morphine and the lights went out.

In the meanwhile my wife was informed and brought to the hospital. When I woke up after the first operation I had the idea that I had become part of a very odd dream and that the accident had never happened. But looking at my left arm I knew that this was the reality and that my life had changed forever. My left hand is amputated until the wrist. I was a left-hander and that made the whole situation extra complicated. But I never lost courage.  I have a positive attitude towards life and I believe strongly that problems can be overcome. Of course I couldn’t face all my problems alone, I did have the great support of my wife, kids, family and many friends.

After two months I went back to work and four months after the accident I received my first prosthetic arm. It didn’t cost me very much effort to learn how to use my prosthesis. It soon became a useful instrument, although it can never replace a hand. After some months I realized that this artificial hand had serious limitations and that I would never be able to work with the same fine precision as before the accident.

My search on the internet began and after some time I found several stories and movies in which people told about their experience with a new kind of prosthesis: the i-LIMB. It was as if the sun began to shine because I immediately saw the great advantages of these artificial limb.. The grip was more natural, the thumb could switch positions, never the fear of  pinching someone’s hand/arm, a can of beer. In Holland this prosthesis is still not available for patients with an amputation. When you want to have one, you must pay for it. The healthcare insurance is not convinced that the i-LIMB hand brings extra quality in a patient’s life. Because my amputation was a result of a very dangerous work condition I tried to get the money from the insurance of my boss. Of course this took a year of talking, begging and explaining. And although my own doctors in the hospital were sure that I would be the ideal patient to test this i-LIMB in Holland, I had to be tested by independent doctors. All this time I had the legal aid of my lawyer and the great support of the people who made my former prosthesis and the whole team that works in the rehabilitation centre.

Finally, after a year, I had the consent of the insurance company. On December the 16^th I received my new prosthesis from the OIM in Haren (Holland). And now, after only 3 weeks, I can’t imagine that I had to struggle with the other prosthesis. This is such an improvement, it looks so natural, I am able to hold objects that I couldn’t possibly get a grip at before the i-LIMB hand. And the best part of all is that I don’t overburden my shoulders anymore. I can reach out for objects in a very natural way instead of  turning my arm and shoulder in a very painful position. Two years after that horrible night my life is in balance again. Although I could no longer stay in my former job, my boss has helped me by offering me a position that is perfect for my physical health.

And the best of all: I still ride my bike!

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