An innovative service that supports patients, including children and young adults, with fitting and adapting to prosthetic limbs came together to celebrate Christmas and the fantastic spirit of the many patients who have used the service.
The Specialised Ability Centre in Wythenshawe cares for hundreds of children to create limb prosthetics and help them adapt to their new way of life. At Christmastime, the service invites its younger patients for a party where they can play with other children who, like them, have prosthetic limbs or a limb difference.
The centre is run by Clinical and Scientific Services at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and has become one of England’s largest and most successful amputee and prosthetics services.
One of the children at the party was Tom, a seven-year-old boy who had an amputation soon after being born. Craig, Tom’s dad, said: “Tom was born with a cancer tumour in his right hand. Once we got the diagnosis, they said it needed to be dealt with quickly. We had the option of chemotherapy, but it had no guarantee that it would save his hand. We opted for an amputation, so he didn’t have any chance for any secondary cancers.
“He has a new prosthetic hand, and he has been getting on well with it, he leaves me speechless. It has one main grip and he’s very good at controlling it. He takes instruction really well, even if he can’t do it straight away, he always finds a way. He had specific training last week for how to use it when he’s at school, so hopefully he will start to wear it more often and I think all his friends were very excited about it.
“We went to the Christmas party last year, and it is a great event. It’s a good chance for Tom to see other children that are the same as him”.
Another child who attended the party was River-Lucia, who had her amputation surgery in July 2024. Leia, River-Lucia’s mum, attended a scan during pregnancy where her daughter was diagnosed with fibula hemimelia, a rare congenital condition that causes a child to be born with a short or missing fibula, the smaller, outer bone of the lower leg.
Leia, River-Lucia’s mum, said, “We first came to the centre when I was pregnant, and we didn’t see any children so we didn’t know whether there would be many others like her.
“River-Lucia wore a splint and adapted shoes until she was six, but it was getting too much, and she was falling over a lot. We wanted to wait until she was older to make any decisions about her leg so she could be involved.
“Her surgery only happened in July, so she has only had her prosthetic leg for around seven weeks. I expected her to not want to go to school, not wanting to wear her leg, but she’s taken to it like a duck to water. Thanks to the team here, she was fully prepared her for her new way of life and she’s blown us all away.
“Having a child doesn’t come with a manual, especially these unique children. Sometimes people can stare, and it’s actually mainly the adults. But, in that Christmas party, no one was looking at each other. Other parents have even told me about other organisations that offer support to children. All of us here have been through similar things and it’s really nice to be in that environment together”.
Lara Littler, Service Manager at the Specialised Ability Centre, said: “We care for so many children across the North West, and they all have their own appointments so it’s quite rare that they are able to see and spend time with each other. The parents always feedback to us that they find this party special, and most of all useful, because they can speak with other families who are going through similar journeys and ask for any advice.
“I’m really proud that we host this party because it gives everyone a chance to celebrate how well both parents and children have done throughout the year. Our staff and children all wore their finest Christmas jumpers and party dresses and definitely created a very lively atmosphere. They even got a visit from Father Christmas who gave out presents!”