







































 

 

 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 AMONG 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 AMONG 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

