Published on
Updated
Reading 2 mins.
With her “glittery prostheses”, Estelle Lehouck now dares to show off. Amputated from both legs to the knees, she plays like a “fashion accessory” with her devices, customized by Simon Colin, an orthoprosthetist from Roubaix who embarked on design to “break the codes”.
“Initially, I wanted a prosthesis that imitated a leg, as if to replace what I had lost”says the one who underwent a double tibial amputation in 2018. “These sequins, for which I hesitated for a long time, allow me to be less ashamed and to dare to show them.”
“I am a flirtatious woman, I dare to wear dresses more. My devices have become a fashion accessory”proudly says this 31-year-old insurance manager.
It was his orthoprosthetist who submitted this idea to him to accompany his reconstruction work. This one “will last a lifetime,” says Estelle. “But my look has changed. Those around me have noticed the difference.”
During a setting appointment, she discusses a next model, to alternate, with Marion Fourmaux, 33, in her office in Méteren (North). It should be light gray and still glittery.
“When we remember the state of Estelle when she arrived with us and now, the path covered is enormous”rejoices the prosthetist.
For her, “this little extra” offered by personalized equipment is “real support” for amputees.
“It’s my signature”
Samih Benabdelhadi, a 25-year-old caregiver, wears a metallic gray orthopedic device, with a “little Terminator side” or “Robocop”, as children play with it.
“It breaks this myth of the disabled who must hide”he says, strolling in the same park in Harnes (Pas-de-Calais) where he lost his right leg on a bike eleven years earlier.
“I feel good with my own image. It’s my signature and I assume it”, launches this vice-champion of France in disabled boardercross (snowboard obstacle course) by getting on his mountain bike.
“Thanks to the reasons, people do not hesitate to ask me questions. It is by explaining our daily lives, by doing this work of ‘education’ (he does not like this term) that mores will evolve”he says.
The personalization of his prosthesis was imagined by Simon Colin, 37, a trained orthoprosthetist, who created his U-Exist workshop in 2014 in Roubaix to “break the codes” of disability.
“I quickly understood that something had to be done to replace these prostheses made by mimicry of the human body or the lost limb”develops the designer, beard, bun and tattoos.
“More fun”
His catalog offers 300 patterns for all types of orthopedic devices: a forearm with butterfly patterns, a pink corset with unicorns, a graffiti tibia… But he can also create patterns on demand or print a personal photo .
“With this type of device, we have the strength to claim who we are. Disability can become a surface for expression, an outlet”he believes.
He works with some 150 prosthetists across France, who themselves apply his creations, in transfer paper or lycra, to the equipment during its manufacture.
“The prosthesis is reimbursed by social security. We ensure that personalization”which costs 5 to 40 euros for the patterns in the catalog, “be taken care of by the orthoprosthetist”he explains.
Left leg amputee for 34 years, Denis Fournier, 51, chose colored and patterned personalized stockings, another proposal from Simon Colin, to put on over his prosthesis to alternate according to his “clothing style” .
“For a long time, we were satisfied with granny’s compression stockings, pink and old-fashioned”, but “disability is not has-been”says this telecom executive near Lille, who now finds his prostheses “more fun”.