Every person has a unique story, and every life is a narrative that unfolds over time, complete with its twists and turns, tragedies and triumphs. Just as a play or show has a beginning, middle, and end, so does life with each stage of development bringing new challenges and opportunities for growth.
Aidan was working in Los Angeles as a scenic carpenter, creating and maintaining sets that provided the backdrop for different performances and productions. “I have been working in the theater industry for ten years and made the transition to a touring scenic carpenter five years ago.” He has been involved in many theater productions including the Tony Award-winning musical, “Rent”, and drama “Doubt: A Parable.”
November 1, 2019
Like any typical workday, Aidan was creating components for a piece of scenery using a fold-away table saw, commonly used on-site for its portable nature. “I was making a cut and didn’t realize the riving knife had been removed, immediately pulling my hand and cutting my index finger,” says Aidan. Everything happened so fast; within the following hour, he was being tended to by a team of nurses and surgeons next door at UCLA.
“I never felt that afraid of recovery.”
After a few months of rest and recovery, Aidan was finally getting back into his rhythm. It was during this time that he learned about Naked Prosthetics. “When my mom first told me about Naked Prosthetics, I was skeptical. I didn’t believe that it would give me a lot of satisfaction.” Despite his initial thoughts, finding a prosthetic solution piqued Aidan’s curiosity. He began his research and got connected with Sandra Bross of Bross and Associates in Glendale, CA.
Just when he thought it was all behind him, fate had other plans, and another surgery was required. A natural athlete and avid rock climber, Aidan firmly believed that he would be able to bounce back quickly despite losing a portion of his index finger. He was tenacious and strict about the regimen needed to help regain the strength of his affected hand.
One of his biggest goals was to return to climbing as soon as he physically could. Starting with sand and sugar granules, he worked his way up to tougher and grittier textures to alleviate the sensitivity on his digits.
Five months after his follow-up surgery, Aidan received his Naked Prosthetics device, a PIPDriver in our hydro-dipped carbon coating. “I was so happy! I was surprised with how well it fit. I spent minutes tapping between the prosthetics and my regular finger.” Aidan drove home wearing his PIPDriver, ready to start the next chapter of his adventure.
Adapting and Moving Forward
Despite the challenges brought on by the pandemic, Aidan’s focus on his goals remained intact. He began rock climbing again and went back to college full-time. He did everything that could help his recovery both physically and mentally. “The device helped me become more intentional with my movements. It kept me moving my index finger more, which also helped increase my range of motion.”
It has been three years since Aidan received his PIPDriver and he has done an incredible job nurturing his recovery. He shares tasks that require finer movements and precision, like typing, had come back almost naturally. “I was back to how I was before the accident. I didn’t have to make major adaptations of relearning finger placement.”
Providing his sound fingers with additional support, grip, and protection, Aidan uses his device to carry tools and materials at work every day. Not only has he been able to return to his vocation and do activities he once loved doing, he also started learning to surf.
Aidan’s advice to someone who’s going through recovery:
“Focus on it as much and only as necessary, it doesn’t define you. It’s not who you are. It will get better, even if you don’t think so right now. You are a person with many different facets, and this is just one of them.”
Whether we are reading someone else’s story or living our own, it is up to us to find our place in the narrative. When Aidan’s not home in Salt Lake City, he is on tour, exploring different places around the world with a theater or show production; taking every opportunity to make the most of every moment.
