A LOCAL orthotist joined the prosthetic and orthotic repair team at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games and met a paralympic legend.
The director of Hampshire Orthotics Ltd, based in Embley Park, Romsey, volunteered as part of the ProActive prosthetic and orthotic repair team in the run up to the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022.
Romsey local, Lucy Best was on shift for three days from July 22 to July 24 before the opening ceremony. During this time, the orthotic met Stef Reid, a triple Paralympic medallist who announced her retirement in June.
Lucy said: “This was the first shift, so our work was to make sure the workshop was ready for the athletes in case any prosthetic or orthotic repairs were needed. In my three days there was no repair work needed.
“However, we had a visit from Stef Reid, a triple Paralympic medallist. She demonstrated her new running blade leg which was great to see in real life – her gait was so smooth and powerful.
“It was a great experience for me to see the games being set up and experience the excitement and energy in Birmingham, to see the stages being built up and all the dancers and singers practising for the opening ceremony. It was also nice to meet other prosthetists and orthotists from other centres around the country.”
Steff Reid has represented both Canada and Great Britain At the Paralympics. The athlete won bronze for Canada at Beijing 2008, in the T44 200m before she switched to Great Britain and picked up two silver medals in the F44 long jump at London 2012 and Rio 2016 respectively.
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Although the Hampshire Orthotics director was on call to assist with any repairs needed on prosthetic limbs, insoles, shoes, braces, she still managed to see the sights of the games in Birmingham.
Hampshire Orthotics Ltd is a private clinic in Romsey offering bespoke orthotic treatment such as braces, splints, helmets, shoes, insoles and advice.
For more go to hampshire-orthotics.co.uk/index.html
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