Amputee says he's ready to go hiking again

About 30 years ago, Lee Raisor woke up after an industrial accident to learn news that could crush a man's soul.The electrical shock he received cost the then-25-year-old both arms and both legs."I just woke up,they told me they would take my leg below the knee," he said. "That's the only time I've been depressed."Now 30 years older and three children later, Raisor hasn't let his injuries slow him down, wearing an array of prosthetic devices.Photos: Walking on new legs"Continuum knee, the BioMe foot, and the Autobot e-pulse vacuum pump," he said.At Drake Hospital on Friday, Raisor walked around with two new lower legs. The big difference is that these limbs are robotic, not just prosthetic."He's spent the last 30 years on old prosthetics with no motors," therapist Alan Zidek said. "Now he's going to have to learn to walk differently."Raisor took to the new limbs quickly."He came up the first time, being able to propel himself up the incline, and he was crying," technician Christine Geeding said. "It's great to see him taking them home today."As for Raisor, an avid hiker, he's looking forward to hitting the trails again."I don't have to stay on the path now," he said. "It feels great, almost natural again."

About 30 years ago, Lee Raisor woke up after an industrial accident to learn news that could crush a man's soul.

The electrical shock he received cost the then-25-year-old both arms and both legs.


"I just woke up,they told me they would take my leg below the knee," he said. "That's the only time I've been depressed."

Now 30 years older and three children later, Raisor hasn't let his injuries slow him down, wearing an array of prosthetic devices.

Photos: Walking on new legs

"Continuum knee, the BioMe foot, and the Autobot e-pulse vacuum pump," he said.

At Drake Hospital on Friday, Raisor walked around with two new lower legs. The big difference is that these limbs are robotic, not just prosthetic.

"He's spent the last 30 years on old prosthetics with no motors," therapist Alan Zidek said. "Now he's going to have to learn to walk differently."

Raisor took to the new limbs quickly.

"He came up the first time, being able to propel himself up the incline, and he was crying," technician Christine Geeding said. "It's great to see him taking them home today."

As for Raisor, an avid hiker, he's looking forward to hitting the trails again.

"I don't have to stay on the path now," he said. "It feels great, almost natural again."