“I could stay focused on everything I had lost, or I could fight for the life I still wanted to live,” Laura said. “And I chose to fight.”
That decision became the foundation of Laura’s recovery after a motorcycle accident led to the loss of her leg. Long before her accident, Laura had built a life centered around serving others. As a wife, mother, and non-profit leader, she thrived on staying busy and making a difference.
Learning to Navigate a New Reality
The weeks following Laura’s amputation brought grief, uncertainty, and countless questions about what the future would look like.
Her original daily prosthesis helped her regain mobility and return to work, but it was not designed for every environment she encountered. Living in Florida meant water was woven into daily life, from afternoon rainstorms and beach outings to simply walking around the pool with family.
Photo courtesy of Children in Crisis, Inc. Source: https://cicfl.org/team/
“Activities that once felt simple, like walking near a pool, going to the beach, kayaking, or even standing safely in the shower, suddenly became stressful and intimidating,” Laura explained.
The greatest challenges were not always visible to others.
“Showering became something I approached with fear and exhaustion instead of routine,” she said. “When you lose self-assurance in your ability to safely care for yourself, it can take a toll on your dignity and sense of normalcy.”
Instead of joining family activities without hesitation, Laura sometimes found herself sitting on the sidelines, unsure whether her daily prosthesis could safely handle the environment.
A Prosthesis That Fit Her Life
Determined to regain confidence around water, Laura discussed her goals with her prosthetist, Gordon Maniere of Manifest Prosthetics & Orthotics in Tampa, Florida. She needed a water-friendly option that would allow her to shower, swim, and participate in activities around water with greater security.
“My first impression of the UniLeg was how lightweight and well-designed it felt compared to what I expected,” Laura said. “I immediately noticed that it looked practical, durable, and truly made for real-life situations involving water.”
During her fitting with Gordon, Laura noticed how comfortable and stable the UniLeg felt, particularly on surfaces that would normally have made her cautious.
“The first time I used it, I remember feeling relieved that I could safely navigate water-related situations with less fear.”
Returning to the Life She Loves
With the support of her daily prosthesis and the added flexibility of the UniLeg for water-related environments, Laura has returned to a demanding professional and personal routine.
As Chief Administrative Officer, she navigates her work campus, attends meetings, supports staff, participates in events, and remains as engaged as ever. Outside of work, she helps manage her family’s bounce house business, which often involves coordinating deliveries, assisting with events, and staying involved in day-to-day operations.
“My prosthesis is a part of almost everything I do throughout the day,” she said. “It allows me to continue living an active and independent life both personally and professionally.”
One of Laura’s proudest milestones came nearly a year after her amputation. To celebrate their 15th wedding anniversary, she and her husband rode their separate motorcycles through Florida, traveling to Crystal River and then Disney. They covered 966 miles that week, and Laura walked more than six miles during their day at the park. The trip took place one day before the first anniversary of her amputation.
For Laura, the experience was proof that milestones that once felt distant were becoming possible again.
Finding Confidence in Everyday Moments
The UniLeg has made its greatest difference in the water-related situations that once caused Laura the most stress.
“The UniLeg has impacted my quality of life in many small but meaningful ways that most people probably would not think about,” she shared. “One of the biggest examples is simply being able to shower safely and independently again without fear of slipping or damaging my prosthesis. That restored a level of confidence, privacy, and normalcy that meant more to me than I can fully explain.”
Whether she is kayaking with her family, swimming, visiting the beach, walking near a pool, helping outside, or simply getting caught in the rain, Laura can approach those moments with greater stability and peace of mind.
“What stands out most is the versatility and durability, especially around water and outdoor activities,” she said. “Instead of constantly worrying about damaging my leg or avoiding certain situations, I feel like I can simply live life more fully.”
The UniLeg’s water functionality, lightweight design, and stability on wet surfaces have helped Laura participate more fully in activities that once required extra planning, caution, or assistance.
“Before the UniLeg, situations involving water often felt stressful or limiting,” she said. “Now, I feel much more secure and independent in environments that used to make me nervous.”
Looking Ahead
Laura continues to focus on what lies ahead.
“I want to keep living fully, embracing new adventures, and showing others that amputation does not take away your ability to have joy, purpose, or an active life.”
She also hopes her experience encourages people who are early in their own recovery.
“For anyone facing amputation or learning to navigate life after limb loss, I would want them to know that it is okay to grieve the life you had before,” she said. “It is okay to have hard days, to feel scared, frustrated, or uncertain about the future. What you are feeling is real, and healing is not just physical; it is emotional too. Just do not stay there.”
Laura encourages others to celebrate the victories that may appear small from the outside but carry enormous meaning after limb loss: the first shower without fear, the first family outing, and the first moment independence begins to feel possible again.
“You are capable of more than you think, and your story is not over,” she said. “Do not let amputation define who you are.”
For Laura, the UniLeg is not a replacement for every prosthetic need. It is a complementary tool that has restored confidence and independence in the environments where she once felt most vulnerable. With Gordon’s support and collaboration between Manifest Prosthetics & Orthotics and Limber, she found a solution that fits the life she wants to keep building.