Faceless Blog

Well, today was the big day, and it couldn’t have gone better!  We got there on time and were introduced to Harry, who would be doing the casting of my leg and building the actual prosthetic.  We spent what must have been close to two hours talking about care for the prosthetic, the kind of activities I’d be able to start up, the kinds I shouldn’t, etc.  The actual casting of Leeroy only took about a half hour or so.  They decided to go with a plaster cast, rather than use the laser, so I didn’t take a video.  (Somehow, watching plaster dry didn’t seem as interesting as a handheld laser would have.)  With all that out of the way, I can pass along some of the details of my new cyber-foot.

1)  The carbon fiber socket will be suction fit, meaning that it will slide on over the gel liner on my leg.  A one-way air valve near the bottom of the socket will allow air out, but not back in.  Combined with a second gel sleeve at the top of the socket which will prevent air from getting back in to the socket, this will hold the leg tightly in place without putting all the stress on the end of my leg.

2)  The foot will most likely also be carbon fiber and will probably have some sort of vertical shock absorption as well as allowing for some twisting, making every day activities a bit easier.

3)  I will be going back next Wednesday to be fitted for a brace on my left leg, then it’s off to PT.

So, in summary…I AM COMPLETELY EXCITED.  For two years now, I have been struggling and fighting to get back to “normal,” and I have never been closer than I am right now.  I’ll definitely be keeping you all updated as we go through this.  Talk to you later!

So, for those of you who are just tuning in, I’m going to be getting fitted/measured for my prosthetic this coming week.  I also greatly enjoy raising money for Child’s Play when possible.  Since I won’t be able to make it out to PAX Prime, I’ve been thinking of ways to contribute without being there.  I have an idea…but I’m looking for input on it.

You have, no doubt, seen those fund raiser sites before where you donate X amount of money and get 50x50 pixels of ad space, or something like that.  Similarly, there are many examples of selling ad space on vehicles, and even more…unusual stuff like selling sponsorship of private events and selling ad space in the form of a tattoo, for example.  Well, my idea is a sort of mash-up of several of those ideas.

CONCEPT #1

Bidding would be opened up on a certain date and run for a predetermined amount of time.  Throughout the process, the top X bidders would be listed on a web site that would be updated as new bids are submitted.  At the end of the bidding phase, the twitter names of the top X bidders would be printed out on vinyl lettering and attached to my prosthetic socket.  They would stay there until that socket needs replacing, which could be anywhere from six months to a year.  During that time, it’s a rare and unique form of advertising and/or publicity.

CONCEPT #2

This is similar to the first concept, except instead of bidding, space would simply be purchased on a per character basis.  (with some sort of upper limit, most likely)  In this method, the purchaser would not be limited to their twitter username, but could place whatever message they want, within the specified constraints.

Constraints:  No profanity, hate speech, etc.  I have to walk around with this 24/7, so I don’t want to be embarrassed to go outside or risk arrest.  :)

All proceeds, from whichever concept is chosen, would go to Child’s Play.  So, any ideas out there?  How can I do this in the best way?  Does anyone know a business that would donate some vinyl lettering for the end result?  When the time comes, I’ll also be asking everyone for a lot of retweets to spread the word, too…but we’re not quite ready for that just yet.  Send your ideas to @Facelesscog or facelesscog@gmail.com

I met with the plastic surgeon that did the skin graft on my left foot yesterday, and he said that, with the inclusion of a brace for that leg, I’m now cleared to get fitted for my prosthetic foot and begin physical therapy!  

The process will start with me going in to Hanger (the prosthetic company that I’m working with), where they will make a plaster cast of Leeroy.  They also have a handheld laser scanner that they’ll be using to make a 3D computer model of him.  This information will be used to create a clear plastic “test socket.”  (The socket is the plastic shell that goes over the end of my leg.)  This clear socket will let the prosthetics guys determine whether or not it’s a good fit.  If everything is fitting correctly, they’ll make the final mold and give me my real socket within a week or two.  During this time, I’ll also be going through some intense in-patient physical therapy to get me back up on my feet and teach me how to use my new foot.

From what I was initially told, this in-patient PT usually only lasts around three weeks.  However, since it’s been such a long time since I’ve been on my feet, I wouldn’t be surprised if it took a week or two longer.  Even so, the next step in this long process is now underway.  I cannot wait to pick out my new foot.  I plan on keeping a video journal during my PT, which will go up here.  I also hope to record the measuring process and/or anything else related to this.  I find it interesting and I’m sure there are at least a couple people out there who might think the same.  

Later people!