Grace's C-Leg Story
Adventure awaits for Amazing Grace thanks to C-Leg 4
Whether it’s climbing up the side of the O2 Arena in Greenwich or scaling the heights of a treetop assault course, nothing is too big a challenge for former rugby player Grace Matthews.
Which is remarkable, given her whole world was turned upside down after a devastating injury during a Rugby match in 2016.
Playing in the front row for Bletchley Ladies, Grace, 26, of Milton Keynes, dislocated her knee during a game against Olney, an injury that eventually led to her losing her leg above the knee.
She adapted to her new life quickly, getting used to walking again using a prosthetic leg. However, it wasn’t until she received her Ottobock C-Leg 4, a microprocessor knee (MPK) designed to help above-knee amputees walk with a much more stable and efficient gait, that a whole new outlook on life was sparked.
She said: “When I first tried the C-Leg 4 I was astounded, I couldn’t believe there was a product out there like it. Before, with my old prosthesis, I didn’t know any different and figured ‘this was it, this is as good as it gets’. But the C-Leg 4 has transformed my life.”
Dubbed Amazing Grace by her friends, thanks to her indomitable spirit and determination — and as a nod to the fact her injury happened in the town where the world-famous hymn was written — Grace is now busy testing the limits of what the C-Leg 4 can do.
“I’ve been doing all kinds of things that I would never have even considered before my amputation,” said Grace. “Something like this changes your outlook on life, and I just appreciate it a whole lot more.”
Most recently, Grace, who works as a customer experience co-ordinator for the National House-Building Council (NHBC), took on the challenge of a Go Ape treetop challenge, using her C-Leg 4 across zip-wires, netting and rope bridges.
She said: “It was absolutely brilliant, I crossed a rope bridge and my C-Leg took my entire weight on this thin piece of rope. It was incredible!”
Grace also enjoys hiking, climbing and abseiling, plays badminton and regularly hits the gym — and she’s also hoping for a return to rugby one day, once she feels she’s completely mastered her new prosthesis.
She said: “I know it’s got me at all times, like having a safety net. But it continues to surprise me with its performance. I can’t wait to get started planning more adventures!”
Grace got her C-Leg through the NHS England’s MPK policy, which has been in place since 2016 and is open to through-knee, above-knee and hip disarticulation amputees who meet the qualifying criteria.
Discover the Kenevo and C-Leg 4
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Ottobock have been proudly providing the C-Leg 4 to medium to highly active individuals through the NHS since 2016. However, did you know that less active individuals can also get funding for the Kenevo. So whether you have a ‘through knee’, ‘above knee’ or hip disarticulation amputation, there is an MPK available for you. The funding means that amputees not only have access to an MPK which provides the most natural walking pattern (the C-Leg) but with the Kenevo the less active individuals can use this leading knee joint for improving mobility and gaining independence.
