Mike Hicks March 9, 2000 Dear Kevin, In the fall of 1992 I was hit by a vehicle while riding a bicycle. After 10 weeks in the hospital and 17 trips to the operating room my left leg was amputated below the knee. Prior to the accident I was always an active person and I was very scared about what my life would be like as an amputee. I met you on my first visit to the prosthetics office in December 1992. then shortly after the first of the year I received my first prosthesis. By the end of January I was starting to walk unassisted. It was wonderful to be walking again! You made my first permanent prosthesis in the spring of 93'. I was pushing myself to build up my strength and you kept working with me on the prosthesis to get the best fit possible. I had been active as a backpacker and told you that my goal was to be able to walk 10 miles in a day with a 40 pound pack. You thought I was crazy. In the summer of 1994 I was able to accomplish this goal several times in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. I returned to cycling with the purchase of a new mountain bike in February 1995. In January 1996 I entered my first race and have raced regularly since. In the last year I completed my first 5k run. In April I will do a 4 day, 28 mile backpacking trip into the Grand Canyon. I also plan to compete in two triathlons this year. Basically my life has returned to normal. I am confident that I can do anything now that I could do prior to the amputation. I will be 50 years old next year and my kids are having a hard time keeping up. It feels great! The reason for this letter isn't to brag about my accomplishments, but to tell you that I couldn't have gotten my life back with out your help. You have cheerfully spent countless hours working with me to make my prosthesis fit to allow me to do the things I want to do. Whenever I am having problems, you are always patient and enthusiastic in solving them. I feel you have always given me good advice about treatment options and component choices that are best for me. When new components have been introduced to the market, you have given me the opportunity to try them. I would strongly recommend Artificial Limb Specialists to anyone needing prosthetics and look forward to continuing to work with you in the future. Mike Hicks