Walking.
Invented by life – revolutionised by technology!
From the origins of walking to
the technical innovations of today.
Human beings walk.
Evolutionary head start – the first step into a boundless future.
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The upright gait is a key characteristic that sets human beings apart from other creatures. Over millions of years, the sophisticated interplay of bones, muscles, tendons and nerves has developed into a fine-tuned, harmonious movement patterns. These patterns have formed the basis of human progress: since the hands were no longer needed for locomotion, they were free for other tasks. Such as creating and using
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tools. Humans went on their way. And continue to do so to this day. Every single one. In both a literal and a figurative sense: humans are free in their decisions. They make their individual way through life, rising to challenges, making decisions, collecting experience.
We've all experienced the fact that life is not always predictable. Making the best of things is particularly important at such times.
The Walker.
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Men and women have different gaits, and the way we walk often says something about our
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mood. The "Walker" installation lets you change the gait characteristics using the
slide controls.
Rising to the challenge – and making your own way.
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If you have undergone a leg amputation or are facing one, it no longer means that you won't be able to walk again. In fact, it doesn't mean that you have to fundamentally change your path in life or forgo much of what is important to you.
Modern prosthetic technology can not only help you regain a highly natural gait pattern, but - both from a safety and a mobility aspect - can make amazing things possible.
So: keep going your own way! -
Erwin V. – C-Leg® compact.
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Travel, photography, his grandchildren, working on his car ... Erwin V. lives a full life. Shortly after he finished his education to become an automobile mechanic he lost one of his legs in
a motorcycle accident. Working in a car shop
was no longer an option. So he worked in the -
office and ultimately took a continuing education course for technicians. He became department manager for a company in the automobile industry – and got a degree in business administration on the side.
Getting the picture – at home and in the world.
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Now Erwin is retired, but he's still as busy as ever. Because he loves photography, he works as a freelancer for a publishing house. He photographs trucks for a magazine that sells used commercial vehicles. It's a great job,
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combining his old love of cars, his hobby of photography and a little extra income. But his favourite way to spend time is in his own garden with his grandchildren.
Savouring life – enjoying mobility with friends.
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For the last seven years, Erwin has gone to England with friends from a local adult
education language course. It's a highlight he looks forward to every year: he enjoys spending -
time with these people and feels he is in good hands. Erwin appreciates being in such good shape at his age and able to have so many interesting opportunities.
Lisa K. – C-Leg® –
rising to new challenges.
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For young people on the Autism spectrum, studying in the USA is a bit easier than in other countries. To some extent, this is thanks to Lisa K. She has been looking after the special needs of these students as a consultant there for
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more than ten years and, as a „one-woman company“, provides assistance in working out difficulties with universities, organizing everyday life and sensitising professors as well as fellow students.
At the university or outdoors – all or nothing.
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Naturally this means that she is on the move a lot, travelling across the country and meeting
lots of people. And she loves giving one hundred percent. "I don't do things by halves. It's -
all or nothing," she says of herself. It's the same in other areas of her life. She has two children – aged 11 and 15. Plus, with three dogs and a large garden, she spends a lot of time outside.
Taking every hurdle – life without limits.
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With a little smirk she even refers to her family as an outdoor family: camping, cycling, hiking... she's out and about as much as possible. Lisa doesn't mind when the terrain gets rough and rocky. That's part of the experience. After all,
Further information / downloadsC-Leg® information 6,9 MB, PDF Scientific Studies of the C-Leg® 1,1 MB, PDF -
that's how life is sometimes, too. "But as long as you can trust family and friends and look to the future with optimism, life remains positive," Lisa says. Then she laughs.
Hamed H. - becoming a role model through motivation.
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Hamed was born in Afghanistan. He was
injured as a child - and went to Germany with -
the hopes that doctors could help him. Unfortunately, they were unable to save his leg.
Career, sports, friends - sometimes there aren't enough hours in a day.
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It was a difficult time: Hamed had to navigate a foreign country, with a foreign language and culture - and with a prosthesis. But he found his way: "First I learned the language, then I finished secondary school and finally obtained my
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qualifications as a prosthetist. I decided to learn the occupation, so if I ever have a problem I could take care of it myself." Taking care of things, rising to challenges, doing better...
Being active in sports - taking centre stage in life.
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Hamed uses such phrases when he talks about himself - and they're phrases that apply to all aspects of his life. For example, he played on
the German national sitting volleyball team for many years and he definitely got around. Thinking back to those days fills him with joy -
and pride. "That feeling of being on the field to represent Germany, somewhere in another world, and being the centre of attention. And then there were all the spectators, and the cheering masses of people. It was quite an experience."
Being there for others - spending time with family and friends.
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Today Hamed is focusing all his attention on his job. His know - how benefits him in two ways now. He can provide optimum fittings for his patients and for himself as well. He wears the Genium. Notwithstanding his commitment to his occupation, he keeps it in balance with his
private life. Staying active and sports are important to him. Volleyball remains a passion, and he often plays with colleagues from work - though now he plays standing up. "When you play volleyball standing up, you encounterFurther information / downloadsGenium - Information for Users 1,2 MB, PDF -
situations that demand outstanding safety and a wide range of motion. Especially if you're really active and jump." When Hamed does have extra time outside of sports and work, he likes doing things with friends. And he's outside a lot: riding his bike, going for a quick run down to the lake or playing Frisbee in the park... but how much longer he'll have time for that is anybody's guess. He is already planning his next great challenge: "A small, happy family."
