Here, Ben Holden, founder of Ben Holden Ltd, looks at how our more than 15-year relationship has helped benefit our clients in their time of need.

Since the beginning

On a recent visit to the lovely people at Proactive Prosthetics, I realised something – it’s been more than 15 years since we first started working together.

I first met Jamie, Clinical Manager of their Cambridge office, back in 2009, the same year I founded the business. Proactive Prosthetics didn’t technically exist back then, but we’ve worked with their senior staff in one form or another for what feels like a lifetime. 

Since then, he and his team have helped countless clients of ours reclaim their independence through their exceptionally crafted prosthetics and compassionately-driven rehabilitation programmes.

Just like us, Proactive Prosthetics take a personal approach, putting our clients first in every decision they make – and go above and beyond to help them achieve their goals. 

Their team are fabulous. The Cambridge clinic feels incredibly fresh and welcoming – beautifully presented, spotlessly clean and in an amazing setting. It has a really positive atmosphere and feels like a genuinely inspiring environment for rehabilitation.

Being able to direct our clients to spaces like theirs is invaluable. For those who have experienced traumatic injuries or have undergone surgical amputations, having a space where they feel safe and supported is of the utmost importance.

That’s exactly what they get with Proactive Prosthetics. 

Going the extra mile

What I really love about Jamie and the team at Proactive Prosthetics though is how they always go the extra mile. 

There have been so many examples of this over the years, but one that particularly sticks out involved a gentleman with extremely significant injuries. 

He had bilateral above-knee amputations as well as a complete right brachial plexus injury, meaning that he effectively had functional use of only one arm. 

Despite the severity of his disabilities, with the right rehabilitation and support he remained extraordinarily independent. He was able to drive, get out and about, do his own shopping and remain incredibly active within his community. 

He used to go to festivals and would regularly provide sound engineering to local events near his home in St Albans. 

Jamie and the team supporting him played a really important part in helping him achieve and maintain that level of independence.

My colleagues have also told me plenty of stories about how Jamie and the team have helped their clients, including Stella Kerins, one of our case managers.

One of her clients had dreamed of a career in elite sports, but multiple injuries led to a below knee amputation. Based on our past experiences, she knew Jamie and the Proactive team were the perfect choice to support him.

It was another example of the selflessness of their team and how they go above and beyond to help people. Jamie, in the middle of a house move, barely settled into a new office and about to go on a family holiday, decided to visit the client at home.

Not only did he help explain the options available to him and offer support and advice for the future, because Jamie has a true understanding of living with an amputation, the client was able to relate to him. 

A few months further down the line, Jamie, inspired the client to apply for a university place on the night before the deadline – turning his low mood on its head into excitement for the future.

Inspiring people

That level of commitment to their clients comes as no surprise given Jamie, who has a prosthetic leg, has proven himself to be far better at kicking a football than me.

When I visited recently, we were walking through the grounds on our way to lunch and some people nearby were playing football. 

The ball suddenly came flying towards us. I, despite having two perfectly serviceable legs, responded by squealing and attempting to get out of its way. 

Jamie, meanwhile, calmly intercepted it with his prosthetic leg and kicked it straight back to them with considerably more skill than I could ever have managed!

Apart from being mildly humiliating for me, it was actually a rather brilliant little demonstration of just how functional and capable someone can be with a well-fitting prosthesis and the right rehabilitation.

That’s exactly what Proactive Prosthetics provide, and why we’re so proud to work with them.

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