Hi-tech artificial leg gives Whitchurch mum Sarah a new lease of life

Sarah Hughes, 35, from Whitchuch, lost her leg above the knee almost four years ago after battling sarcoma, a rare cancer of the connective tissues.

She was given the chance to trial a new artificial limb which has a special knee section.

Despite having to give up her career as the deputy manager of a children’s nursery, Sarah adapted to her new life with a basic mechanical knee, and learned to drive again after just five months from receiving her first prosthesis. However the prosthesis was heavy, caused pain and left her feeling vulnerable, so much so she walked with a stick for extra safety.

Then earlier this year she was given the chance by the NHS Limb Centre in Shrewsbury which offered her the chance to trial a prosthesis called C-Leg 4, which has a microprocessor knee.

She said the difference was almost instant.

“I used to hip-hitch, and would regularly take painkillers before the C-Leg," Sarah said.

Now I’m pain-free and I’m far more confident when out and about. I used the escalator for the first time recently. It’s still hard work, but life has been made a lot easier and a lot happier with the C-Leg.”

Since her amputation, Sarah — who has an eight-year-old daughter, Taylor, with her partner, Andrew — has pursued new opportunities, including a return to education, undertaking a child psychology course and a learning difficulties course, and a career change, moving into charity work by first volunteering at the Severn Hospice shop before becoming the deputy manager of The Headway Brain Injury Association charity shop in Whitchurch.

Now, with her C-Leg, she says she has the confidence to embark on family holidays, canal boat day trips, concerts, go-karting and even skiing.

She is also using her experience to help others going through similar life-changing trauma.

“I have a hospital buddy who I met after my own amputation, a young mum who has a baby son. We’re now good friends.

"I want to help people see what life can be like. And for anyone who is active, the C-Leg is the way forward. It gives you so much independence, and I’d recommend it to everyone.”