The Collective Mile

Experience and feedback to help each other “Walk a Mile in Our Shoes”

Kathleen O’Donnell

Design for Social Entrepreneurship

Spring 2010
Rhode Island School of Design
 Introduction to the Community:
Over 2 million Americans live with limb loss today.

Each year, approximately 185,000 amputations are performed in the

United States.

Vascular disease accounts for 82% of all amputations, and of these, 97%
are lower limb amputations.

Trauma is the second leading cause of amputation.

As of January 2009, 1,286 amputations were performed on soldiers as a

direct result of the Iraq conflict.

Local Community Groups:

Central Massachusettts Limb Loss Support Group

Braintree Rehab Support Group

Foundry Physical Therapy

Next Step Prosthetics and Orthotics

 Research Methods:

Interviews

Online Review of Prior Art

Focus Groups
 Mission Statement:
To provide an online resource for amputees to submit and
review user feedback for existing prosthetic technologies.
The purpose of this database is to enable amputees to
make better, more informed decisions about their future
prosthetics, which will ultimately reduce the cost, pain,
and stress associated with getting a new prosthetic.
 Read
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Proposed Map of Website:
 User Scenarios

Scenario 1:
Jennifer is a 34 year old mother of 2 who recently lost her leg
above the knee in a skiing accident. She received a brochure
for The Collective Mile while in the rehab hospital, and wants
to check it out for the first time.

Scenario 2:
Eric received a C-leg prosthesis a year ago and has been
extremely satisfied with the results. He had been told that he
would never walk again, and yet he is walking around without
difficulty today. He credits his prosthetist, Peter Couture, with
the succcess, and he wants to write a favorable review.
 User Scenarios

Scenario 1:
Jennifer is a 34 year old mother of 2 who recently lost her leg
above the knee in a skiing accident. She received a brochure
for The Collective Mile while in the rehab hospital, and wants
to check it out for the first time.
 Read
Chats Reviews
Choose
Product
Type
Choose
Specific
Product

Write
Home Reviews

Choose
Specific
Provider
Choose
Practitioner
Location

Login Read
Reviews
 The Collective Mile
Experience and feedback to help each other “Walk a Mile in Our Shoes”
Home Product Reviews Practitioner Reviews Chats Login

Product
Reviews

Practitioner
Chats Login/ Settings
Reviews

Favorites
 Upcoming Events:

Chat with a Prosthetist

1-4pm E.S.T.

Chat with Physical Therapists

3-6pm E.S.T

Rheo Knee Discussion

4-8pm E.S.T

Search Site
 The Collective Mile
Experience and feedback to help each other “Walk a Mile in Our Shoes”
Home Product Reviews Practitioner Reviews Chats Login
Search Site

Upper Limb
Hip
Above Knee
Lower Limb Below Knee
Ankle Joint
Sockets Foot

Liners

Assistive
Devices Above-Knee Prosthesis

Accessories
 The Collective Mile
Experience and feedback to help each other “Walk a Mile in Our Shoes”
Home Product Reviews Practitioner Reviews Chats Login
Search Site

Above Knee Prosthetics

Sort by: Highest Overall Rating Most Athletic Lightest Weight Most Stable

C-LEG SMART IP
by Otto Bock MICROPROCESSOR KNEE
by Endolite
overall rating: overall rating:
Write a Review Write a Review

C-LEG COMPACT FUSION POWER KNEE

by Otto Bock by TruLife

overall rating: overall rating:

Write a Review Write a Review

 PLIE MPC Knee RHEO KNEE
by Freedom Innovations by Ossur

overall rating: overall rating:

Write a Review Write a Review

XT9 ESPK TOTAL KNEE 1900

by SymbioTechs USA by Ossur

overall rating: overall rating:

Write a Review Write a Review

Add A Device

Not sure which model you use?

Users who researched Above Knee Prosthetics also viewed:

Liners
Ankle Joints
Prosthetic Feet
Accessories
 The Collective Mile
Experience and feedback to help each other “Walk a Mile in Our Shoes”
Home Product Reviews Practitioner Reviews Chats Login
Search Site

Otto Bock C-Leg

Write a Review
Company: Otto Bock
Company Description: C-Leg technology
incorporates sensor feedback and
microprocessor control, which allow the
knee to adjust to your unique gait and
provide you with secure, reliable walking.

Overall Rating:
Athleticism rating:
Lightweight rating:
Stability Rating:

30% of users thought it felt too heavy.

10% of users thought it felt too stiff

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

 Eric_P Says:

I’ve only ever used one type of prosthetic leg: the C-leg. I would give
it 5 stars. The first day I put it on I started to “run” around, just like
Forrest Gump! When I walk on a new surface, such as grass or
gravel, it is a little scary at first, but on blacktop or cement walkway
it feels extremely stable. The mechanics are very intuitive- when
you load the toe, the knee joint bends automatically. I would
recommend this device for anybody who is an above knee amputee,
as long as their insurance will cover it.
(Eric_P is online now. Click to chat)
How helpful was this review?
Posted: 5/5/10

John Says:

I love the C-leg! It gives me a much greater sense of stability and I

fall less often. I am no longer afraid to walk over uneven surfaces on
the golf course because I know the microprocessor in the C-leg will
automatically correct and catch me if I get into an unstable
position.

(John is offline now. Click to email)

How helpful was this review?

Posted: 5/25/10
 User Scenarios

Scenario 2:
Eric received a C-leg prosthesis a year ago and has been
extremely satisfied with the results. He had been told that he
would never walk again, and yet he is walking around without
difficulty today. He credits his prosthetist, Peter Couture, with
the succcess, and he wants to write a favorable review.
 Read
Chats Reviews
Choose
Product
Type
Choose
Specific
Product

Write
Home Reviews

Choose
Specific
Provider
Choose
Practitioner
Location

Login Read
Reviews
 The Collective Mile
Experience and feedback to help each other “Walk a Mile in Our Shoes”
Home Product Reviews Practitioner Reviews Chats Login

Product
Reviews

Practitioner
Chats Login/ Settings
Reviews

Favorites
 Upcoming Events:

Chat with a Prosthetist

1-4pm E.S.T.

Chat with Physical Therapists

3-6pm E.S.T

Rheo Knee Discussion

4-8pm E.S.T

Search Site
 The Collective Mile
Experience and feedback to help each other “Walk a Mile in Our Shoes”
Home Product Reviews Practitioner Reviews Chats Login
Search Site

Login
Please Sign In: | Create a Profile:

Username: Eric_P OR Username*

Password: ******** | Password*

(forgot username/password?)
Confirm Password*

Email Address

Amputation Type

Zip Code

About You:

Add a Picture
 Settings

Make my profile available for Chat upon login

Allow users to email me securely

Remember my computer

Automatically load pages related to my profile

 The Collective Mile
Experience and feedback to help each other “Walk a Mile in Our Shoes”
Home Product Reviews Practitioner Reviews Chats Login
Search Site

Massachusetts

Choose a
State

- or -

Enter Your
Zip Code
 The Collective Mile
Experience and feedback to help each other “Walk a Mile in Our Shoes”
Home Product Reviews Practitioner Reviews Chats Login
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Prosthetists Physical Therapists Surgeons

Prosthetists Near Your Location

Sort by: Highest Overall Rating Distance Most Reviewed

PETER COUTURE TIMOTHY CURRAN

Next Step Hanger
Warwick, RI Worcester, MA

overall rating: overall rating:

Write a Review Write a Review

Add A Practitioner
 The Collective Mile
Experience and feedback to help each other “Walk a Mile in Our Shoes”
Home Product Reviews Practitioner Reviews Chats Login
Search Site

Write a Review for : Peter Couture at Next Step, Inc.

Please rate this practitioner’s:

Overall Rating:
Knowledge level:
Time spent with patient:
On-site fabrication? yes no
Would you recommend to a friend? yes no

Please review your experience:

(try to be as specific as possible)

I met Peter prior to my amputation for a consult. Peter took the time to
discuss my options that I may have after having an amputation. Since my
case is not your typical amputation case due the fact that I suffer from Reflex
Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), my amputation would be a little bit different.
Peter took the time to listen to all my concerns and fears about having an
amputation. Peter and his staff have made me feel so comfortable and
confident that everything that I am doing will work out well for me.

Well, I must tell you that it has only been 11 weeks since my surgeries
(August 25 and 27, 2008). I had to have a two-stage amputation due to the
infection in my left foot. On November 12, 2008, I was able to stand without
the use of my crutches and I took my first steps in more than 20 years.

I now recall the first meeting that I had with Peter. He told me that he would
have me walking the first time I put on my new leg. Well, I must tell you that
he was 100% right. It has been more than 20 years since I last walked on two
feet. With the help of Peter and his staff, I am able to take my Next Step in
life. I can't thank Peter and his staff enough for all their help and support.
You all have made my life so much better.

Submit

Thank You For Your Review!

 Marketing
Find reviews on devices
based on YOUR specific
needs:

The Collective Mile The Collective Mile

Experience and feedback to help each other “Walk a Mile in Our Shoes”
Experience and feedback to help each other “Walk a Mile in Our Shoes”
Home Product Reviews Practitioner Reviews Chats Login

The Collective Mile

Home Product Reviews Practitioner Reviews Chats Login
Search Site
Search Site

Write a Review for : Peter Couture at Next Step, Inc.

Upper Limb
Hip
Above Knee Please rate this practitioner’s:
Lower Limb Below Knee Overall Rating:

www.thecollectivemile.org
Knowledge level:
Ankle Joint Time spent with patient:
Socket Foot On-site fabrication? yes no
Adapters Would you recommend to a friend? yes no

Liners Please review your experience:

The first online database

(try to be as specific as possible)
Assistive
Devices

created by amputees, for

Above-Knee Prosthesis I met Peter prior to my amputation for a consult. Peter took the time to
discuss my options that I may have after having an amputation. Since my

Create brochures to go in
Accessories case is not your typical amputation case due the fact that I suffer from Reflex

amputees to discuss
Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), my amputation would be a little bit different.

Peter took the time to listen to all my concerns and fears about having an
amputation. Peter and his staff have made me feel so comfortable and

reviews of prosthetic
confident that everything that I am doing will work out well for me.

Well, I must tell you that it has only been 11 weeks since my surgeries

devices, prosthetists,
(August 25 and 27, 2008). I had to have a two-stage amputation due to the
infection in my left foot. On November 12, 2008, I was able to stand without

practitioners’ offices in the

the use of my crutches and I took my first steps in more than 20 years.

and physical therapists- The Collective Mile

I now recall the first meeting that I had with Peter. He told me that he would
have me walking the first time I put on my new leg. Well, I must tell you that
he was 100% right. It has been more than 20 years since I last walked on two

all to help YOU make a

feet. With the help of Peter and his staff, I am able to take my Next Step in
Experience and feedback to help each other “Walk a Mile in Our Shoes” life. I can't thank Peter and his staff enough for all their help and support.
You all have made my life so much better.

more informed decision

Home Product Reviews Practitioner Reviews Chats Login
Search Site

waiting rooms
Submit
about your healthcare. Otto Bock C-Leg
Write a Review
Company: Otto Bock
Company Description: C-Leg technology
incorporates sensor feedback and Thank You For Your Review!
microprocessor control, which allow the
knee to adjust to your unique gait and
provide you with secure, reliable walking.

Overall Rating:
Athleticism rating:
Lightweight rating:
Stability Rating:

30% of users thought it felt too heavy.

10% of users thought it felt too stiff

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

Eric_P Says:

I’ve only ever used one type of prosthetic leg: the C-leg. I would give
Write your own reviews
of devices or
it 5 stars. The first day I put it on I started to “run” around, just like
Forrest Gump! When I walk on a new surface, such as grass or
gravel, it is a little scary at first, but on blacktop or cement walkway
it feels extremely stable. The mechanics are very intuitive- when

practitioners to help
you load the toe, the knee joint bends automatically. I would
recommend this device for anybody who is an above knee amputee,
as long as their insurance will cover it.
(Eric_P is online now. Click to chat)

others make better

How helpful was this review?
Posted: 5/5/10

John Says:

I love the C-leg! It gives me a much greater sense of stability and I

decisions too.
fall less often. I am no longer afraid to walk over uneven surfaces on
the golf course because I know the microprocessor in the C-leg will
automatically correct and catch me if I get into an unstable
position.

(John is offline now. Click to email)

How helpful was this review?

Posted: 5/25/10

www.thecollectivemile.org www.thecollectivemile.org

Spread via word of mouth

through support groups and
through the ACA, especially
at regional and national
summer meetings
 Funding:

Once a primary user base is established, targeted advertising will cover

operational costs

Next Steps:
• Hire a web developer to write the code

• Launch a trial version in New England

• Develop an in depth business plan

• Write grants to secure start-up funding

 Special Thanks:
Rose Bissonnette - CMLLSG
Eric Phillips - RSD info
Jeewon Jung - IDEO
Sloan Kulper
Everyone in the studio who taught me how to use
Illustrator this week!

Central Massachusetts Limb Loss Support

Group
Braintree Rehab Limb Loss Support Group
Next Step Prosthetics and Orthotics
Foundry Physical Therapy