Sondra Stieber is a former Wichita area science teacher whose series of traumatic medical events led to her being among the first to receive a prosthetic arm that she controls with her mind
While recovering from surgery, Sondra fell out of bed and broke her clavicle, causing hundreds of microscopic blood clots to form in her left arm. After eight rounds of vascular surgeries, in June 2018 her arm was amputated just below the elbow. That put an end to her pain, but presented new challenges as she was determined to be as active and adventurous in her retirement as she had always been
Dr. Joshua Linnell told her about a relatively new procedure called osseointegration and referred her to the Hospital for Special Surgery's Limb Salvage and Amputation Team
In December 2019, Sondra headed to New York, Dr. Robert Rozbruch inserted a titanium rod into her bone. Then in March of 2020 she received her one-of-a-kind arm and myoelectric hand. With more than $100,000 of their own savings depleted by medical bills and costs the Stiebers were still $50,000 short of the funds needed for the prosthesis until last November, when two donors stepped forward to bridge the gap.
The journey continues with Sondra making amazing progress. But this progress hasn't been without it ups and downs. Continued cost for repairs, shipping, and travel related to her prosthetic are adding to already overwhelming medical bills. Donations for the Stieber's will go to offset these costs and help Sondra continue treatment.
For more on Sondra story simply Google Wichita's bionic woman.
