NS woman needs a waterproof prosthetic leg – and she gets a lot of support | The Canadian News

Walking in the rain or kicking snow is a normal part of everyday life for most – but for Arielle Vienneau it is a safety hazard.

The Nova Scotian woman lost her leg more than 15 years ago and has since had a prosthetic limb that is not waterproof. It took a toll on her emotionally and physically.

“Being waterproof is kind of just a basic need,” the 31-year-old Vienneau said.

“The water can enter where the electronic components are and fry my leg completely.”

Vienneau, from Port Hawkesbury, lost her leg when she was just 14, after a vascular injury that later turned into a gangrene infection after many surgeries.

Since then, Vienneau has been proud of her accomplishments as an amputee.

She lives a healthy lifestyle and loves athletics. She played team volleyball and sprint for Team Canada, and competed in many other competitive athletics.

She also works full time with the Mental Health and Addiction Program at the Nova Scotia Health Authority.

But she says her prosthetic leg can not hold on to her, and she does not get the best quality of life.

“I walk into everyday situations where I’m put in a fear of ruining my prosthetics,” Vienneau said.

“So anything from kicking snow to walking from the car to my work. … My boyfriend’s family are lobster fishermen. I could not even be on a boat yet. “

Even when she’s just walking a little faster than normal, she runs the risk of running her leg out and falling.

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“It became a health risk for me and it caused a lot of problems with my knees and my worries.”

Now Vienneau is not only concerned about her own safety, but also the safety of the child she cares for.

“I was with her on the beach and she is a toddler… She ran in front of me and I could not go into the water,” she said, adding that fortunately other people were there to help.

“In a situation where it was just me, I would have to take the time to take off the prosthetic, jump into the water and hope I have enough time.”

Getting her prosthetic leg wet can take away her ability to walk completely.

“It would be similar if you threw your laptop in the water,” she said. According to Vienneau, it is also considered a user error and not covered by warranty.

“I would be without a limb.”

A waterproof prosthesis, the Ottobock Genium X3, comes with a solid price tag for Vienneau. She called it an “advanced limb” and said because of its electronic components, it is not covered by typical insurance companies.

She said she also only knows about this type of limb because she talks to other, mostly out-of-province amputees who are also athletic.

“They do not even really teach you, when you become an amputee in Nova Scotia, that these limbs exist,” she said.

Six days ago she had a GoFundMe, hoping to raise $ 48,000 to cover the remaining costs of the limb, lodging expenses and accessibility upgrades.

“No one should worry all day long that everyday elements naturally caused by nature can take away your ability to walk,” she wrote on the page.

As of Tuesday morning, she had raised nearly $ 6,000.

“I’m very excited,” Vienneau said, noting that she did not expect as much support. “It’s a nice feeling of community, especially in these difficult times.”

Vienneau hopes she can achieve her goal of simply being waterproof.

“I think it’s hard enough to overcome the adversity and a disability, especially as a young person,” she said.

“Going outside without worry is just not something we as humans need to worry about.”