ELIZABETHTOWN — She hadn’t walked in two years, but once Crystal Perry of Malone got her second artificial limb at the Essex Center here she was on her prosthetic feet within days.
Perry had the bottom halves of both legs amputated because of infections from peripheral neuropathy caused by diabetes.
Previously in a wheelchair full-time, she walks with the aid of a walker now but hopes to navigate on her own someday. Perry normally lives with her brother in Malone, with support from nieces and nephews, and is living at Essex Center temporarily for therapy.
“It’s been good here,” she said. “I just walked 108 feet. That’s my best so far.”
‘DOING REALLY GOOD’
Physical therapist Kevin Bell said they took her to Mountain North Orthotic and Prosthetic Services in Plattsburgh to be fitted for her second prosthetic foot.
“We got her a new right leg,” he said. “She’s doing really good.”
Essex Center Director of Rehabilitation Kim Vilardo said Perry wants to excel, which usually makes a difference.
“She’s a good, good patient,” Vilardo said. “She has to develop a gait and that’s what we’re working on.”
Perry is doing heel-strike walking now, she said, and is doing great. Mastering heel-strikes is a crucial aspect for prosthetic users.
“We break down the walking components,” Kim Vilardo said. “Crystal’s success is due to the preceding three months of intense physical and occupational therapy. She and her therapist worked diligently to get her to this level of success and work like this is never an easy task.”
TRUE GRIT
Perry arrived at Essex Center in December 2023.
“Crystal can make it look easy but it all required much hard work, motivation and true grit on her part,” Vilardo continued. “All in all, that has been our ultimate goal, which is for her to ambulate independently.”
Perry said she’s only 41 years old and she decided to try Essex Center for therapy because she wanted a better life.
“I’m too young for a wheelchair,” she said. “I want to walk. I don’t want to be in a wheelchair. I’d rather be on my own and walking.”
Perry moved to Essex Center in December 2023 and looks forward to the day when she can go home to Malone.
“I will miss everyone here,” she said. “I talk to them all, staff and residents. I’ll miss them when I leave.”
Essex Center Administrator Tara Vilardo said Perry has been a model for others there with prosthetic limbs.
“She inspires them.” she said. ”Crystal is so positive. She wants to get better and she helps other residents here to do the same.”
Perry said she has a phrase that inspires her.
“No matter what life throws at you, don’t give up,” she said.