Kai Moeller

2019: baby Moritz enters the world

After spending quite a few weeks at a nearby rehab facility Kai is ready to pick up where he left off before the accident. With his amputation wounds heeling well, the father to be gets home in time for the birth of his baby boy.

What were the options?

While still in the hospital, Kai is informed by orthopaedic technicians from the hospital ‘s inhouse Care Centre about prosthetic fitting options for his hand. For the first time he becomes aware of the difference between highly functional myoelectric fittings and purely cosmetic solutions.

 It is immediately clear to Kai that a cosmetic fitting is not suitable for him. "As someone who depends on "functioning hands" for work, sports and raising my children, I cannot do with a "lifeless limb." Clearly, my vanity had to give way to rational considerations." However, Kai can understand that other people, especially girls and women, feel differently in this respect. "For some people, the completeness of their body image has a higher value than for me."

 He himself initially focuses on the possibility of a myoelectric fitting, which offers a range of functionalities. After a few fittings, however, he is not completely convinced by this solution either.

MCPDriver™, the perfect solution

"It was in the summer of 2019 and the time when the technicians of the Bochum Care Centre became aware of an absolute novelty in the field of hand prosthetics."

Not even approved in Germany at the time, this mechanical partial hand prosthesis developed in the U.S. called MCPDriver offered what Kai had secretly hoped for. "As soon as I tried it on for the first time, I had goose bumps because it was immediately clear to me that the solution to my problem was here in front of me. Returning to my job was suddenly within reach because the partial hand prosthesis, together with my remaining fingers, would support all necessary work activities."

 The robust MCPDriver is individually manufactured and attached to both the wrist and the remaining finger stumps. The special design of the prosthesis provides the user with a high degree of grip stability and enables the application of a variety of grasp and pinch patterns - from powerful gripping to typing on a keyboard.

 "Thanks to the precise adaptation to my individual anatomical conditions, the prosthesis is an irreplaceable everyday companion for me. When I come home at night, I take off the prosthesis in seconds - just like you kick off your shoes after a long day at work“, Kai states.

Everything is fine as it is

"I think it's important to convey to other people in similar situations that a work accident like mine doesn't have to mean the end of the world. You can come to terms with many situations and end up living a normal life. Now, because of my sport, I am more of a fighter, but I’m also blessed with a pretty positive outlook on life. I try to pass this on to others at every opportunity."

 As far as family life is concerned, with two lively toddlers in the meantime, Kai can report no restrictions whatsoever in his playing, swimming, or climbing with his children. The fact that his offspring already have above-average motoric skills is naturally a source of great joy to the sporty parents. It remains to be seen whether Moritz and Marleen (born in 2021) will also be enthusiastic about their parents' sports.