While in Kenya, Keegan answered questions from patients and their families, demonstrated how to use upper- and lower-limb prosthetic devices, and provided encouragement to help each child build confidence to use the new limb they had received. During the weeklong trip, 53 children were fitted with upper and lower limb devices. “Being a mentor and being able to show these children what is possible with properly fitted prosthetic devices was truly an honor. It’s impossible to describe,” explained Keegan.
For Brock, Keegan’s presence on this trip was inspiring. “Keegan brings such a positive can-do attitude everywhere she goes. She made a lasting impression on the kids in Kenya, showing them they can do great things in this world. As Keegan’s prosthetist, I was so proud to share this experience with her,” said Brock.
One of the most memorable parts of the trip for Keegan was seeing a little girl named Esther try on her new prosthetic arm for the first time – a moment that Keegan remembers vividly from her own childhood. She watched in awe as Esther opened and closed the hook attachment at the end of her arm and then beamed with pride when she learned to write her name using it. “Throughout my childhood, I had the desire to be right-handed and to be able to hold things with that hand, and a prosthetic device made that possible for me. It was an honor to witness that become a reality for Esther as well. She was a natural, and in that moment I knew she would be okay and would be able to use this arm to benefit her life for a long time.”
For Keegan, the trip to Kenya put into perspective how lucky she was to have access to care close to home at Shriners Children’s. Brock was always just a text away to request an impromptu appointment to adjust her current device, or to provide the same support and encouragement she was able to offer the children and families in Kenya.
“Being able to witness Brock make limbs for children who otherwise may never have had the opportunity was nothing short of amazing,” she said. “He had done this for me my entire life, so working alongside him was truly a full circle moment that I will remember forever.”
