McDonald C.L, Bennett C.L, Rosner D.K, Steele K.M. I AM THE BOY WITH ONE HAND WHO CAN DO ANYTHING”: PERCEPTIONS OF ABILITY AM ONG PEOPLE WITH UPPER LIMB ABSENCE. CANADIAN PROSTHETICS & ORTHOTICS JOURNAL, VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2, 2018; ABSTRACT, POSTER PRESENTATION AT THE AOPA’S 101ST NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, SEPT. 26-29, VANCOUVER, CANADA, 2018. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33137/cpoj.v1i2.32001 1 OPEN ACCESS AOPA’S 101 ST NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ABSTRACTS, SEPTEMBER 26-29, VANCOUVER, CANADA, 2018 ABSTRACT (POSTER PRESENTATION) I AM THE BOY WITH ONE HAND WHO CAN DO ANYTHING”: PERCEPTIONS OF ABILITY AMONG PEOPLE WITH UPPER LIMB ABSENCE Cody L. McDonald1*, Cynthia L. Bennett1, Daniela K. Rosner1, Katherine M. Steele1 1University of Washington, USA. *Email: codym@uw.edu DOI: https://doi.org/10.33137/cpoj.v1i2.32001 INTRODUCTION Upper limb prostheses are commonly prescribed for people with upper limb absence (ULA) to restore function, cosmesis, and assist with activities of daily living. However, nearly one in five people with ULA chooses not to use a prosthesis1 and instead turns to alternative technology and adaptations, pointing to factors beyond prostheses that shape perceptions of ability and quality of life. We examined through interviews the lived experiences of people with ULA framed around their perceptions of ability, device use, and quality of life. METHODS Sample: Convenience sample of individuals with ULA. Eligibility criteria:18 years of age or older with ULA. Study design: Qualitative semi-structured interviews. Procedures: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with individuals with ULA. Participants also completed three surveys: Orthotics and Prosthetics Users’ Survey (OPUS)- Upper Extremity, OPUS Health Quality of Life Index,2 and Amputee Body Image Scale.3 Analysis: A team of five multidisciplinary researchers (a prosthetist, three designers, and a mechanical engineer) used an interpretive phenomenological analysis to identify common themes. Two researchers coded each interview. Open codes were then distilled into central themes through reduction. Transcripts were then reviewed to identify final themes and representative text. RESULTS Fourteen participants with ULA, aged 18-71 years (mean age: 41.4±19 years, 7 males/7 females) participated in this research. Most participants had congenital limb absence (10/14) of the distal limb (5 partial hand, 1 wrist disarticulation, and 5 transradial). Six participants reported daily use of a prosthesis; all participants had prior experience with at least one type of conventional ULP (i.e., passive, body-powered, or myoelectric). Five participants had also received e-NABLE 3D-printed devices, but no longer used them. Survey: Participants reported high functional ability during tasks of daily living (109.5 ± 2.6). Individuals with congenital limb absence reported higher function (116.3 ± 18.7) compared to those with acquired ULA (94.3 ± 23), which may reflect the influence of time since limb loss and learning. Themes: Participants shared high perceptions of ability and function, regardless of prosthesis or assistive technology use (Table 1). Life experiences related to three dimensions strongly influenced perceptions of ability: • Learning to live with limb absence • Integrating limb absence into individual identity • Fostering supportive communities. The diversity of experiences across participants highlighted the limitations of identifying “normative” pathways of recovery or device use, emphasizing the need for flexible and adaptable systems to creatively support personal goals and needs. Table 1: Qualitative themes and representative quotes. mailto:codym@uw.edu https://doi.org/10.33137/cpoj.v1i2.32001 McDonald C.L, Bennett C.L, Rosner D.K, Steele K.M. I AM THE BOY WITH ONE HAND WHO CAN DO ANYTHING”: PERCEPTIONS OF ABILITY AM ONG PEOPLE WITH UPPER LIMB ABSENCE. CANADIAN PROSTHETICS & ORTHOTICS JOURNAL, VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2, 2018; ABSTRACT, POSTER PRESENTATION AT THE AOPA’S 101ST NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, SEPT. 26-29, VANCOUVER, CANADA, 2018. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33137/cpoj.v1i2.32001 2 OPEN ACCESS AOPA’S 101 ST NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ABSTRACTS, SEPTEMBER 26-29, VANCOUVER, CANADA, 2018 ABSTRACT (POSTER PRESENTATION) CONCLUSION Integration of novel platforms for professional practice, supportive communities, and technology innovation can support the evolving needs and care of people with ULA. REFERENCES 1. Biddiss EA, Chau TT. Upper limb prosthesis use and abandonment: a survey of the last 25 years. Prosthet. Orthot. Int.2007; 31, 236-257. DOI: 10.1080/03093640600994581 2. Heinemann, AW. Bode RK, O'Reilly C. Development and measurement properties of the Orthotics and Prosthetics Users' Survey (OPUS): a comprehensive set of clinical outcome instruments. Prosthet. Orthot. Int.; 27, 191-206 2003. DOI: 10.1080/03093640308726682 3. Gallagher P, et al. Body image in people with lower-limb amputation: a Rasch analysis of the Amputee Body Image Scale. Am. J. Phys. Med. Rehabil. 2007; 86, 205–215. DOI: 10.1097/PHM.0b013e3180321439 ACKNOWLEGEMENTS This work was supported by the National Science Foundation, Grants No. CBET1452646,1453329, and 1423074. https://doi.org/10.1080/03093640600994581 https://doi.org/10.1080/03093640308726682 https://doi.org/10.1097/PHM.0b013e3180321439