A Scottish woman with a prosthetic arm she helped design has completed a remarkable cycling journey across Europe, covering a distance of 1,360km. Sarah Fisher, 31, was born with a congenital limb difference that affected the development of her left arm. Despite this challenge, Sarah developed a passion for cycling and adventure sports from a young age, engaging in activities such as swimming in ice pools and climbing mountains.
For her latest adventure, Sarah cycled from Holland to Prague, a route spanning approximately 845 miles, in just 13 days. What makes this achievement even more remarkable is that Sarah used a revolutionary prosthetic arm that she had a hand in designing and which bears her name. Reflecting on her journey, Sarah expressed her love for cycling and the incredible experience of exploring three countries on her bike, meeting new people, and witnessing captivating sights along the way.
Accompanied by her boyfriend, Sarah camped out during the journey, creating a sense of home on the go. She shared, “My boyfriend came with me and we camped out, so we could just pack up and get going each morning. The tent became our little home from home. And I’ve never eaten so many Schnitzels in my life!” Sarah admitted that she never imagined cycling such a distance, especially considering the discomfort she faced with previous prosthetics, which often caused pain, swelling, and bruising during longer rides and in warm weather.
Despite encountering challenges in finding suitable prosthetic solutions in the past, especially for cycling, Sarah collaborated with Koalaa, a London-based prosthetics innovator, to develop a new type of prosthetic specifically designed to accommodate the unique movements involved in cycling. Nate Macabuag, the founder of Koalaa, highlighted the positive experience of working with Sarah and receiving valuable feedback from elite para-athletes during the design process.
Koalaa prosthetics are known for their global availability and support users of all ages, from infants to the elderly, in achieving independence and enhancing their overall well-being. These prosthetics are designed to facilitate daily tasks, work-related activities, as well as sports and hobbies. Notably, Koalaa has introduced the world’s first ‘early rehab’ prosthetic arm, which can be utilized shortly after surgery, benefiting individuals with limb differences worldwide.
Sarah’s inspiring journey and collaboration with Koalaa underscore the importance of innovation and inclusion in providing individuals with limb differences the tools they need to pursue their passions and lead fulfilling lives. Her story serves as a testament to the power of determination, resilience, and creativity in overcoming challenges and achieving remarkable feats.