Hanger Clinic

07/23/2025

“Sometimes the greatest mountains are the ones we climb within ourselves.” - Hanger Clinic patient Renee Dehaan 🗻

Fifty-four-year-old Renee Dehaan is an assistant principal at Wasatch Junior High. Born with limb difference in her right leg, she’s worn a below-the-ankle prosthetic device her entire life, also using a brace to help address the drop foot in her left foot. When Renee’s longtime prosthetist, Quincey Brabant at the Millcreek, Utah , invited her to complete a climb to Everest Base Camp, Renee immediately said yes.

Over nine days, the two completed the difficult trek up 40 miles of uneven terrain, freezing temperatures, thinning air, and 22,000 feet of elevation gain. While the journey was incredibly challenging, Renee shared, “I kept going, not to prove anything to the world, but to myself. I owed it to myself to never give up.” 🧡💪

Read more about Renee and Quincy’s epic climb on our blog: hangerclinic.com/blog/for-patients/one-step-at-a-time-renees-journey-to-everest-base-camp-with-her-prosthetic-leg.

07/15/2025

Heidi Ernst is a 75-year-old physical therapist, powerlifter, and avid scuba diver. In 2023, while completing her 524th dive, Heidi was attacked by a Caribbean reef shark as she climbed back onto the dive boat. As a result of the severe injuries, doctors amputated Heidi's left leg below the knee.

After returning home to recover, Heidi connected with clinician Maggie Siebel at the Ames, IA , who fit her for a prosthetic leg and guided her through the process. Heidi chose a shark-themed pattern for her new leg, and immediately began exploring options that would allow her to resume her passions and active lifestyle. Not long after receiving her prosthetic device, she traveled back to the Bahamas and completed another dive—a healing experience for herself and a full circle moment after all the challenges she has overcome. 🤿💪

Heidi and her clinician Maggie recently joined We Are Iowa Local 5 News to share more about her experience. Check out the segment here: bit.ly/4nPaul1

07/07/2025

Our hearts are with the central Texas community and all those impacted by the devasting floods. As a Texas-headquartered company, we grieve with those who have lost loved ones, and share our deepest gratitude to the heroic efforts of our first responders and volunteers.

06/30/2025

In honor of Wimbledon's opening week, Kemit Amon is sharing how he gears up for para-standing tennis with his upper limb device! 🎾

Despite the life-altering challenges he faced due to multiple amputations from septic shock, Kemit’s determination has led him on an incredible journey, including playing at ! ✨ Read his full story here: hangerclinic.com/blog/for-patients/kemit-proves-that-passions-can-thrive-after-amputation/.

06/26/2025

Fourteen-year-old Audrey loves music, volleyball, and playing with her new dog. 🐶 Diagnosed with in 2022, she was prescribed a daytime brace to be worn for 18 hours each day, and six months later, a nighttime brace to wear while sleeping to help treat the condition and prevent it from progressing.

With encouragement from her parents, Audrey diligently completed her comprehensive course of care over three years, which included physical therapy and scoliosis treatment with Megan Chamis at the Farmington, CT . Her treatment plan also included numerous orthopedic appointments, x-rays, and home exercises.

To show his support, Audrey's dad even purchased a posture brace, which he tried to wear alongside Audrey so she wouldn't feel alone as she worked to realign her spine. 🧡

Now preparing for her sophomore year and setting her sights on a graphic design internship, Audrey is thriving. She's excited to enjoy this summer with lots of time spent by the pool!

This , we celebrate Audrey and the many individuals who face this diagnosis with determination and grace. Your journeys have a meaningful impact on us all! 👏

06/25/2025

Over the course of 36 hours, Nicole Grehn's heart stopped 78 times. With her heart functioning at just 10 percent and her body slipping into crisis, doctors placed her in a coma that lasted nine days. To save her life and prevent septic shock, her mother made the decision to amputate both of her legs above the knee.

Months later, a diagnosis was discovered: a rare genetic mutation known as sudden cardiac death (SCD), bringing clarity and a new beginning for Nicole. While working through rehabilitation and recovery, she came across Hanger Clinic’s Bilateral Above-Knee (BAKA) Bootcamp.

There, she met other bilateral above-knee amputees who inspired her to walk independently with the help of peer support, hard work, and custom-designed prosthetic devices. BAKA Bootcamp empowered Nicole to live independently with her prostheses, setting ambitious goals—and achieving every one of them. 🧡

See Nicole's full story here: https://hangerclinic.com/blog/patient-stories/nicole-grehn-woman-finds-her-calling-after-losing-both-legs.

06/21/2025

As we wrap up 2025, we're reflecting on how remarkable the last few days have been with this incredible group!

Participants immersed themselves in a full slate of activities here in —from falls and stubbies training and exploring the new Hanger Clinic Integrated Care Center, to meaningful peer mentoring and breakout discussions. We were moved by the personal stories shared throughout the event as well—testaments to courage, resilience, and growth. The community spirit at Bootcamp is truly something special. 🧡

Thank you to Shedd Aquarium for helping create a uniquely exciting evening for our participants last night, and to everyone who contributed their time and efforts into making this event so memorable. And of course, our gratitude goes out to all of our attendees—keep learning, growing, and rising to every challenge!

06/20/2025

06/16/2025

Welcome to Hanger Clinic's Integrated Care Center (ICC)! 👏🎉

As a state-of-the-art destination facility, the ICC is designed for those with limb loss, limb difference, or physical disabilities that want to take their care to the next level!

Features include:
🏃 Running track
🧗 Climbing wall
🏋️ Fully equipped gym
🏡 Real life spaces (test kitchen + apartment!)
🗻 Variable terrain, stairs, ramps
..and so much more! Here, patients can train in real-world environments with the safety of our collaborative Hanger Clinic expert support team, so challenges are identified and solved in real time.

Learn more at hangerclinic.com/ICC. 🧡

06/09/2025

Forty-seven-year-old health education specialist Tracy LaMarche was a competitive ultra-marathoner and bodybuilder when she injured her right knee in 2022. Unforeseen complications led to nine surgeries over the course of two years, all of which were unsuccessful in helping Tracy return to the athletic lifestyle she loved. Ultimately, her right leg was amputated above the knee in May 2024.

Tracy was introduced to when she attended our event in Hollywood, FL, last June. Soon after, she connected with clinicians Mark Elgart and Michael Franz at the Charlotte, NC, clinic location near her home. After receiving her prosthetic leg, she was back on the bodybuilding stage in just a few months and challenged herself to complete multiple 5K and 10K events.

Today, Tracy is still working hard to push boundaries and achieve her goals. Wearing a custom cycling socket created by her Hanger Clinic team, she recently competed in the 2025 USA Cycling Pro Road National Championships, taking gold in two events! 🏆🚴‍♀️

She hopes to someday qualify for the US Paralympic Team and is excited to share her story with adaptive athletes and others with limb loss—saying she wants people to feel empowered to live their best lives.
Tracy, we couldn’t be prouder of the way you have persevered! We will always be your #1 fans. 🧡

06/03/2025

Martha Ramirez loves dancing, traveling, and being a mom. After an incredibly difficult fertility journey, the 42-year-old and her husband Kevin welcomed their son Natan to the world in November 2023. But amid the joy and relief of her son’s birth, Martha suffered from severe, debilitating post-partum depression that ultimately led her to attempt to take her own life. The traumatic injuries she sustained resulted in the amputation of Martha's left leg below the knee.

As she recovered, Martha connected with clinician Natalia Cardona Malave at the in Pembroke Pines, FL, who fit her with her first prosthetic leg and helped restore her mobility. “Martha's tenacity is remarkable, and she comes to every appointment filled with light,” shared Natalia. The two share a special bond, and even completed a 5K event together earlier this year.

Today, Martha is doing well and setting her sights on new goals—including expanding her garden, taking walks on the beach, and keeping up with her son as he grows up. We are so proud of your progress, Martha, and grateful to have been a part of your journey to healing. 🧡

05/29/2025

Ibrahim is a bright and active 15-year-old with a love of learning. Born without both of his forearms, he has been a patient of prosthetist Tom Current in Milwaukee, WI since he was just two years old. Ibrahim’s mom shared her family’s gratitude for Tom, who is part of Hanger Clinic’s Upper Limb Prosthetic Specialty Network, saying: “He has given Ibrahim all the opportunities, motivation, and support possible!”

With his prosthetic arms and myoelectric hands, Ibrahim is thriving—carrying out everyday tasks independently and remaining actively engaged in his schoolwork. He also loves to swim and play soccer, and hopes to become the captain of his high school soccer team.

Ibrahim looks forward to graduating high school and attending college—and says nothing will stop him from achieving his goals. We’re so proud of the determined young man you’ve become, Ibrahim! Keep running toward your dreams, and we’ll be cheering for every goal! ⚽

Learn more about Ibrahim and Hanger Clinic's Upper Limb Prosthetic Specialty Network on our blog: hangernews.co/IbrahimsJourney