A Valentine’s Day to Remember
This past Valentine’s Day, we celebrated something truly special at A Step Ahead Prosthetics. Seven-year-old Talia received her first high-activity prosthetic leg—an important step toward greater mobility, confidence, and independence.
Talia was born with Proximal Femoral Focal Deficiency (PFFD), a rare condition where the upper part of the femur is underdeveloped or missing. To give her the best chance at long-term mobility, her family made the courageous decision to pursue an above-knee amputation early in life. Now, she’s thriving—full of energy, fearless in the face of challenges, and passionate about sports and movement.
Step One: Getting Casted for a New Beginning
To start the process, Talia visited our facility to get casted for her first high-activity leg. Erik Schaffer, C.P. and owner of A Step Ahead, took a mold of her residual limb. This step is critical, as the mold captures the exact shape and contours of her limb. A well-fitted socket leads to greater comfort, stability, and control.
A True Partnership: A Step Ahead x Stronger Than You Think
This moment came to life thanks to a powerful collaboration between A Step Ahead Prosthetics and Stronger Than You Think, a nonprofit founded by our own patient, Ali Truwit—a two-time Paralympic silver medalist.
From the start, Ali was hands-on. She met Talia, learned her story, and supported her every step of the way. Delivery day wasn’t just about providing a prosthetic leg—it was about building a bond rooted in strength, experience, and shared understanding.
Mentorship in the Prosthetic Community
The connection between Ali and Talia is truly special. Talia shared that Ali is her only friend with a prosthetic leg. Having someone to look up to, who genuinely understands her journey, has made a lasting impact. Watching them together was unforgettable. Ali has become a mentor, a role model, and a source of inspiration for Talia.
Why This Matters
High-activity prosthetics like Talia’s are life-changing. However, they are often expensive, and insurance rarely covers the full cost—especially for active children. That’s why partnerships like this one matter. Together, we are committed to making high-performance prosthetics more accessible to the kids who need them most.
Just the Beginning
Talia has already started working with her physical therapist to learn how to run with her new blade. This is just the beginning of her journey. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Stronger Than You Think to support more young patients—with the prosthetics, mentorship, and encouragement they deserve.
