Boston Marathon Bombing survivor shows new prosthetic technology

A local company, Ottobock, is helping thousands of amputees regain the lives they thought were gone. At the South by Health and Medtech Expo on Saturday, the company added two more names to that list: Heather Abbott and Aaron Holm.

Although they are both missing their lower extremities, thanks to the new technology developed by Ottobock,  neither one are missing out on life.

"It was a very dark time in my life." Holm said. "For 48 hours I didn't know if I would ever walk again."

In 2007, Holm was hit by a car while helping a friend change a tire. Both of his legs were amputated. Just above the knee.

Abbott was severely injured in the Boston Marathon Bombings in 2013. Doctors amputated her left leg, just below the knee. But thanks to the developments in prosthesis, Abbott can continue living the life she was prior 2013.

"Before I started using prosthetic devices, I didn't know anything about them." Abbott said, "So it is really amazing in these past three years to have kind of gotten a quick lesson in what they are all about and how much they are really able to do."

Because of the work by companies, such as Ottobock, neither Abbott, Holm, or thousands of other amputees have to give up a thing.

"Walking up and down stairs, down hills, ramps, uneven terrain, I play a lot of golf and the x-rays allow me to do anything," Holm said.

"I have a leg for running, another leg for standup paddle boarding that's water proof, and I even have a high heel leg that I wear." Abbott said, "These legs really allow me to do just everything I use to do."

For more information on Ottobock and their technology you can go to their website, Ottobockus.com