“A myoelectric prosthetic hand isn’t always an upgrade, some features are useless” Says Autumn

Two weeks ago, we caught up with Autumn, who was fitted with two Hero Arms back in September. Despite being an experienced user of hooks and a different advanced myoelectric prosthetic hand, she chose two Hero Arms, and we were curious to learn why. Here’s how our chat went:

When we saw that someone named Autumn received a Hero Arm in the fall, we knew we had to meet you. Where does your name come from?

Haha! My mother let my aunt choose my name, and since Autumn is her favorite season, that’s what she went with. My mom was actually planning to name me Ebony, but my aunt stuck with Autumn.

That’s beautiful. Do you have a close family?
Absolutely! Family means everything to me. I have three kids, and Thanksgiving and Christmas are always big family reunions at my mom’s house. My kids are really sporty, I used to be the mom front and center at basketball games and always planning family outings. It’s slowed down a little now, but my kids keep me motivated.

Relearning life as a quadruple amputee must’ve been challenging.
It wasn’t easy, that’s for sure. Even now, if I’m out and about, I get tired and need to rest. But I’m just so grateful to be alive.

You underwent leg and arm amputations in 2021 due to sepsis, is that right?
Yes. I contracted sepsis, and while in ICU, I also caught COVID. I was given just a 10% chance to survive, but I kept fighting. After spending a month in ICU and another month recovering at Vanderbilt Stallworth Rehabilitation Hospital in Nashville, I was able to go home as a quadruple amputee.

How did prosthetics play a role in your recovery?
Initially, I was anxious about prosthetics. Looking back, I wish I’d done more research. I just accepted whatever prosthetic arms were suggested to me.

And you were fitted with an advanced myoelectric prosthetic arm, right?
Yes, I was. But I live in Tennessee, and it gets really hot here. The myo’s sleeve locks in place and works by detecting nerve signals and movements. Wearing it made me so sweaty! Plus, there were so many functions to remember. The wrist would spin 360 degrees, and I struggled to control it. It wasn’t comfortable, so I barely used it.

So, your advice would be comfort over tech?
Definitely. You can have all the tech in the world, but if it’s uncomfortable, what’s the point?

What made you choose another myoelectric prosthesis?
This time, I took a step back and reminded myself, “This is still your life; you just do things differently now.” That’s become my motto. I did my research and figured out what I really needed on a daily basis. Features that let me grasp small objects around the home were important. I also wanted something that I could take on/ off like a tool without the hassle and something that would give me greater independence doing daily activities. 

Did Medicare cover your Hero Arms? Any challenges with the process?
The process went smoothly. I just had to cover the out-of-pocket costs, but Open Bionics suggested crowdfunding. At first, I was hesitant, but it turned out to be fun. It didn’t feel like I was asking people for money; I was doing something for it. It felt wholesome, and I reached my goal faster than expected.

You can read a recent news interview Autumn did where she met one of the people who contributed to her crowdfunding campaign.

You’ve had your Hero Arms for a month now—how often do you use them?
Oh, I use them daily! Yesterday, I cooked an entire meal with them.

What did you cook?
I love cooking! I made crockpot chicken with cheddar broccoli pasta and crostinis.

That sounds amazing!
The Hero Arms are far better than my previous prosthetic. They’re breathable and lightweight, so I can wear them for hours. I use them everyday—cooking, cleaning, eating, brushing my teeth. I don’t need any eating aids.

It looks like you’ve really mastered the functionality.
Yes, I use them every day, for at least an hour. Whether it’s picking out my clothes, putting them on hangers, or taking them off. I also enjoy the Sidekick app challenges. I’ve customized my Hero Arms based on the grips I use most often.

How do people react when they see your Hero Arms?
When I was flying home from Orlando with my Hero Arms, everyone at the airport was amazed. It was heartwarming to see people smiling and commenting on how they had never seen myoelectric prosthetic hands like this before.

What was it like navigating the airport with your Hero Arms?
It was great!  I was able to walk through the airport on my prosthetic legs and hold multiple things with my Hero Arms. I felt independence again—holding my ticket, phone, and carry-on bag without needing assistance.

That must have been a big confidence boost.
Absolutely! My confidence is growing every day. I feel like a “bionic mommie.” It’s a new life, but I still want to do all the things I love, like cooking and making candles.

Candles? Tell us more.
I’ve been making candles for the past eight years. I love creating scents to match moods—whether to soothe, comfort, celebrate, or focus. I’m all about aromatherapy scents with herbs and oils. I definitely want to keep doing more of that.

What advice would you give to someone facing amputation or someone who has recently gone through it?
I didn’t expect the amputee community to be so supportive. Transitioning from an independent 31-year-old to someone who relied on others was tough, but the drive to regain independence was huge. The amputee community that shares knowledge was a huge comfort.

My other advice is to surround yourself with a good support system—family, friends, colleagues. I worked at Hanger Clinic for a while, and being in that space helped me adapt and embrace my new life.

Lastly, don’t rush to accept any prosthetic. Do your research! What works for someone else may not work for you. I was also fitted with prosthetic hooks, but they barely opened or closed. They might work for some people, but for my hobbies and lifestyle, they weren’t practical.

We can’t wait to see what you achieve with your Hero Arms. But more importantly—can we come over for dinner?
Haha, yes!

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