My name is Justin Salvatera and I have been an amputee for over 20 years. When I was a child, only 12 years old, I lost my leg due to cancer. I had a bone tumor, and it was tough, but we were really fortunate to catch it early. I had a slow recovery due to some other medical things, so I was on crutches for a long time. When I did finally get a prosthesis, it was really a big day, it was certainly a new way of life.
When you become an amputee you’re an amputee forever, it kind of changes who you are, it changes you in a big way. It became part of my identity, where I grew up, I was the only other amputee I knew. So, it was cool when I moved to Philadelphia years ago and I just googled looking for a good prosthetist and I found and went to some other prosthetic companies first, but I did not get the care that you expect that you would get from a family-owned company. But luckily, I found out that there was a Lawall office here and I started working with the Lawall family.
It is like a giant community of support. When I first came to work at Lawall, I came in for my first appointment and Jack was here he immediately made me feel comfortable and assured me that we were going to make a leg that fits right.
I was living an active lifestyle at the time, I was a chef, and I was working long days and hours, so having a proper fit on the leg was critical. I am incredibly grateful for the Lawall family, it is such an incredible family company, to begin with and it’s great to be a part of that. I would recommend Lawall to any amputee, anybody who is looking for orthotic or prosthetic services the level of care the level of passion I have not found anywhere else it is an incredibly special place.
Renee Jones is a Physical Therapist and mom of 2 rambunctious boys who are 16 and 8 and she is always running around with them. Renee is in a unique position being a home care physical therapist and an amputee. Sometimes patients are not sure what to make of it all. But the majority of the people Renee works with see her as an inspiration, she reports they often say
All young ladies dream dreams: but while 16-year-old Rachel Buckley is dreaming, she’s also busy designing cities and kicking soccer balls with an energy and enthusiasm that raises the bar for her peers. Instead of slowing her down, the prosthetic leg and soccer-customized Cheetah foot she wears seem to motivate Rachel not only to keep up with her able-bodied teammates, but to do more—and do it faster and better every time.
Facing diabetes from a young age, Jim Davis allowed it to shape him, not define him. Despite suffering severe health complications, his unwavering resilience triumphed. Post-gastric sleeve surgery, and after shedding significant weight, his determination soared to new heights as he participated in the Tour de Cure bike ride. With an unshakable support system comprising of family, healthcare team, and prosthetists, Jim has turned his life around and is steadfastly setting ambitious goals for the future. His story is a testament that no matter the adversity, with determination and support, progress and rehabilitation is always possible.
