Page 29 - Peter Farrelly Issue

That’s so interesting because in Uganda, that’s a time and place where there needs are different than my needs. Culture demands fitting in. That’s so interesting. And I saw that you actually did help create some pros- thetics to help with that. Where I was, in this time and place where I was living, I didn’t want something that approximated a hand. Something like, we’re not there yet to create something that looks like a hand and actu- ally functions like a hand. So, when it comes to—and I don’t think that everyone understands that. I do have a myoelectronic hand that I use for a lot of stuff. But even friends who I knew very well assumed that I use that for yoga, which is just laughable. No, it does really specific things, and it has specific grips. That’s not going to do anything for yoga.
But then we have this, which is so elegant because I looks like—I mean, it looks like a hoof, but you can rock back into downward dog with it, and you can do push-ups and there’s rocking back from side to side. There’s this compression on the bottom so you can do things like burpees and more high-impact things and mountain climbers. It’s very human-centered, with all the engineering knowhow behind it. I was super-flat- tered and honored to be able to be part of this. I never expected to be part of creating something that could potentially go to people all over the world. I got to be part of it alongside other folks with limb differences
here in the U.S. and the UK and I think even in Scot- land. We all have slightly different anatomy, different limb differences. There’s such a broad range.
With all of our input, Koalaa was able to create some- thing that could work for as many people as possible. That’s such a beautiful thing. We were brought together by the shared interest in yoga and, of course, limb dif- ference. I’ve really enjoyed it.
Kaplan: That’s great! As you were suggesting, having a limb difference or being an amputee, either of those, is not a monolith. There’s not one way to be one.
Grazian: Absolutely.
Kaplan: And there are so many different ways. I know I’m different from a lot of other amputees. I know you must have a lot of different experiences than a lot of others with limb difference. Could I ask, what’s the model you use and you have worked with on?
Grazian: This guy? (gesturing to her prosthesis) This is the Nicole Pro.
Kaplan: How does the Nicole address the problems that amputees face when doing yoga? How would you say that?
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