Springs man gets new prosthetic leg after waiting for six years
Peters can't wait to drive again after getting new prosthetic leg.
Alex Peters will always remember January 2012 as the month when his left leg was amputated and his life changed forever.
Peters, who lives at the South African National Epilepsy League’s (Sanel) Geduld Centre, has been using a wheelchair and crutches to get around ever since.
When Marie Buchner’s husband, Wynand Botes, had his leg amputated last October, she met Dr Marius Carsten, a local orthotist prosthetist based at the N17 Hospital, who was going to fit her husband with his new prosthetic leg.
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Buchner saw this opportunity to help Peters get a new leg and asked Carsten if he could help.
“I heard about Peters and I agreed because helping people comes naturally to me as I’m a doctor.
“I try to do one or two of these cases every month.
“I thought it wasn’t right for Peters to be without a leg for six years – especially a guy like Peters who is fit,” says Carsten.
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Peters was fitted with his new leg on Tuesday afternoon and was speechless about what happened.
“It’s wonderful and words can’t describe how I feel.
“It feels unreal,” says Peters.
At first, his new leg hurt, but after the second and third time of walking on it, it was fine.
The 47-year-old was worried he would not be able to balance as he has already lost the other half of his right foot due to complications from diabetes.
It will take up to three months for Peters to be fully functional on his new leg.
“This leg means new doors of opportunity have opened up again for me,” says Peters who is a mechanic and used to drive forklifts and trucks.
“I love driving and I was on the sidelines for a couple of years, but soon I will be able to do it again,” says Peters.
Buchner was over the moon for Peters and cried tears of joy.
“This miracle happened on my birthday and my gift to Peters is a new leg,” says Buchner.
Peters’ sister Louise Bester was equally delighted for her brother.
“I can’t say thank you enough to the doctor and to Marie.
“They really are angels and I just don’t have the words to say thank you,” says Bester.
A local company also donated the takkies and socks Peters wore for the occasion.
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