Flight

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​A running 'blade' is something that many of us see in the Paralympic Games: beautiful prosthetic feet that resemble gazelle legs flashing before our eyes. A 'blade' prosthetic foot is specifically designed to compress and store the runner's energy, only to then release that energy in a strong forward thrust at toe-off. You'd likely find that the energy return is too much 'bounce' for everyday use.

Amazingly, prosthetic limbs that are designed for specific recreational activities are not covered by most insurance companies. As a result, runners have to pay out-of-pocket or hope for charity funding. There is a moment nowadays called So Every BODY Can Move, which is seeking legislation that will, among other things, ensure insurance coverage for recreational prostheses. After all, movement is medicine.
 
I created this artwork to mark the start of April's National Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month. What does this month mean to you? For me, it means amplifying the voices of people who live with limb loss and limb difference, as well as finding ways we can advocate on issues that affect us. Want to find a way to get involved? I highly suggest you contact the Amputee Coalition to find out how you can help raise awareness and create change.

This is a time-lapse video of my illustration, as drawn in Procreate. I love creating characters and images out of thin air and watching them come to life before me. They change so much as the drawing progresses - I love the evolution of the character. As I draw tiny details, like the leaves here, I let my mind wander. You'll notice, though, I did import an image of a runner so that I could get the components as accurate as possible. He makes a quick appearance - can you spot him?