Amputee Testimonials
Read Rick Riley's Amputee Prosthetist Blog for more testimonialsJust coming off a fresh amputation revision was looking on the net for a new style of prosthetic foot. When I found Rick Riley's web page, on how he was getting back into building prostheses. Have always thought that to build a good prosthesis, you needed to wear one yourself. Emailed Rick, got to talking to him about the ideas that I had that my old leg maker wouldn't try. To make a long story short ended up in Washoe Valley, Nevada with Rick to get a new leg built. Prices were all set before going, when I got there my stump was not healed enough to wear a new prosthesis. Rick realized this and built me a temporary socket, until I went back to months later and got my permanent. Although this was not figured into the price no price adjustments were made. Don't know how you could find a man that was more caring about the patient than his own bottom line. The man I do believe is an artist at building sockets that fit. If you don't have a shower leg, and have ever wondered if there is something out there to give you back your dignity. Then talk to Rick about this as it is the single best investment that an amputee can make.
Wayne Brost- 52 year old amputee, rancher and cowboy
I have been an amputee since 1969 and had gone through a good number of "leg makers" until I started working with Rick. He is the best!!! I have heard this from many of my amputee friends who are active in sports. Rick has made me several legs including specialty legs, like a water leg. They are all great. The difference with Rick is that he really wants to do a great job--not just be a numbers mill. His legs have been far superior to any I had made elsewhere. I have been able to wear my leg all day, walk as much as needed, do chores, and go out dancing the same night without breakdowns or soreness. That made a huge difference in my life.
Doug Pringle, Vietnam Vet, President Disabled Sports USA, Disabled Skier Hall of Fame
God was my first encounter with body parts and that shop did a great job if I may say so. Sorry, you are not number one but you do run a close second. Hope you do not take that as a put down. Most days I am not aware of my prosthesis fitted for a below the knee amputation. I was able to quickly adjust to the new situation with your help and expertise. Besides your technical skills and artistry in fashioning a new limb for me, the kidding and empathy were greatly appreciated. The rough spots of the horrendous trauma to body and sole were smoothed over by the atmosphere you and your technicians created for your clients. Forget the car, if you had not already, and keep up the fantastic work.
Gratefully,
Ray Gumm (age 76 / first fit 10 years ago)
I never thought I would walk again after losing both legs to an illness. Rick Riley built my first pair of legs and I was walking 5 to 6 hours per day after the first month and shortly after that I ran a five mile race. Now I put my legs on first thing in the morning and wear them all day, in 12 years I have never had any kind of skin breakdown.
Rick spent some time in Spain and I had another company build a pair of legs for me and I was never able to wear them longer than 2 hours and they were never comfortable. Rick truly gave me my life back when I thought I would be wheelchair bound most of the time.
I never thought I would say this but I put my legs on first thing in the morning and forget I am a bilateral amputee. I believe that Rick is one of the finest prostheses in this country and has also become a very good friend.
Mark Combs
I first heard of Rick while surfing the net back in '97. At that point I had been wearing a BK (left leg) prosthesis for 45 years. Obviously I had exposure to many prosthetists in that time. Rick made my first leg in '97. Since then he has made a special leg for bicycling which I wore on an around the world bicycle trip. I have also had Rick make me a second "regular" leg.
Although there are many prosthetists available within 200 miles of my home, I drive 1000 miles each way to utilize Rick's services. That should say it all. He is as dedicated to his clients as he is to his craft. I recommend him without reservation.
Dick Ryan, Amputee for 55years. Bicycled across the US and around the world in his sixties.
When I met Rick Riley in 1994 little did I know it would be a life changing event. I became a below knee amputee at the age of 15 in 1970 following a motorcycle accident. From that point on being an amputee was at times very challenging, it was a struggle to locate a good prosthetist that could fit me well enough to maintain a active lifestyle and being a teenager this was extremely important. I finally "got used to it "and, accepted the fact that any activity that required a lot of walking was going to result in a fair amount of discomfort, sometimes for several days. After wearing Vietnam era prosthetics for 25 years I resigned myself to the fact that this was as good as it gets. After meeting Rick, he fit me with latest in prosthetic components and wearing a prosthesis was like wearing a pair of good fitting shoes, I can now engage in any physical activity I chose, skiing, hiking, golf, swimming, and so on without any discomfort whatsoever, I would strongly recommend any amputee to choose Rick Riley as their prosthetist.
Robert A. Parrish
Reno, Nevada
I have been a BRK (Below Right Knee) amputee since 1976. For the 1st 10-15 years of my prosthetic life, this new way of living was one with pain (daily). The pain was excruciating at times...many breakdowns with the skin because most of it was grafted skin. Not to mention, I am a highly active amputee (work, bicycling, now with 5-kids, water-sport enthusiast, etc)...I LOVE LIFE!!! More importantly, the prosthetist(s) that had provided the fitting(s) were not as aware/informed as the person (Rick Riley) I am about to speak of in this testimonial.
Then came prosthetic limb #3. Fortunately, and I was unaware at the time, Rick was to be the prosthetist for this new fitting. I had never looked forward to these 'sessions' because they were always uncomfortable. Many times, this uncomfortability during the fitting process was nearly unbearable (physically). I'm a very outgoing person and sometimes, during the fitting process, I almost felt 'out-of-place' during this time period. I basically would adjust to a different type of pain and use different 'made-at-home fixes' to get past the pain...sponges, etc.
With Rick, at 1st I didn't even know he was an amputee, there seemed to be some type of mutual understanding. Rick's personality is genuine! He has this way of setting the fitting process as a 'comfortable' atmosphere. It seemed like he could interpret exactly what you were trying to relay to him and put it in the product (a socket). Indeed, he should know this process 1st hand...he is also an amputee.
My 1st test socket was 'near' perfect...I couldn't believe it...a few adjustments with the prosthesis (non-socket related) and I was on my way. A day that was unbearable for 8-10 hours has now turned into a day of 12, 14, 16 hours with little discomfort, if any. I must also state that this fitting was with a 'Pelite liner'...this was no 'state-of-the-art' technology...you can spend all the money in the world on the newer technology...but it all comes down to this...HOW WELL DOES THE SOCKET FIT YOU!!!
Unfortunately, Rick had to move on in his life to the southwest (I'm in the Boston, MA area) in the late 1980s. Put it this way, even after numerous attempts with local prosthetists with new sockets, we still go and try to 'copy' the socket that Rick made in 1985 (it is 2007 now). This has worked in the past 10 years BUT is slowly not as appeasing as it once was. My physical makeup changes as I get older (no surprise there) so this is not working as well.
Trust me, if I never met Rick and the prosthetic service that he provides as a professional, I would have always perceived a prosthetic life as being one consumed with pain. Rick has provided 'hope' that one day, most prosthetist, may achieve this level of service that Rick can provide.
This testimonial is true...do you need more details, email me at: daniel.nault@gmail.com ...I will provide them...I will tell you how active I am and what it felt like wearing a socket that was designed/created by Rick.
An honest testimonial,
Busy in Boston, Ma
Daniel Nault
