Spectrum Orthotics and Prosthetics - Santa Rosa, California

al1709c A.

You couldn't meet a nicer guy than Bill Shea. And extremely competent
too! He's been in his field for decades.
I went to see Bill because another orthopedic Clinic messed up making me new AFO's. AFO's that did not work and that I couldn't wear.
Bill saved the day by refurbishing my original AFO's with new flexure
joints, and new straps. This is not ordinarily done but there was a
other choice.
I certainly wish I had gone to Bill for my new AFO's in the first place.
So don't waste your time going anywhere else. See Bill first. If for no
other reason than to just meet this great guy.

Levy D.

At the age of 15, I was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma. After a complicated limb salvage surgery that indicated my tumor broke off, I made the decision to have my leg amputated. The prosthetist that fit me for my very first prosthetic leg was kind and seemed to do everything as it should have been done. It wasn't until a year and a half, walking only about once a month with the prosthetic, did I come to realize that I needed more than just a replacement leg. This is when I met Bill Shea. Working with Bill, allowed me not just to learn about the leg I was using, but the dynamics of relearning to walk. He used a layperson's language to helping me understand what this process was about and I was made to feel part of the building of this leg as opposed to just a customer. He talked me through what he was doing. This is what a good prosthetist does, he doesn't just build a leg, he educates the client to ensure that we know how to advocate and take care of ourselves.

It goes without saying that choosing to be an amputee was not an easy decision. The journey to becoming an independent person again had its ebbs and flows. While Bill is not an amputee, his bedside manner and ability to listen and share his experiences with other amputees allowed me to explore the obstacles that got in the way of me being a two legged person again. On too many occasions, I recall Bill taking his time to ensure my leg was aligned just so. Till this day, about 20 years later, he continues to go above and beyond just building or adjusting my leg. He saw me through so many milestones from beginning to use my prosthetic leg on a daily basis, to walking across the platform on my graduation stage in college, to walking down the aisle for my wedding.

Like a reliable and honest car mechanic, once you have a prosthetist that works with you, you have to hold on to them with everything you got! A prosthetist is a resource for any amputee hoping to regain independence. I cannot imagine working with another prosthetist for any future prosthetic limbs. This process is so much more than working with construction materials, it's intimate and therefore requires trust. I'm thankful Bill Shea is my prosthetist.

Stephen W.

Bill is amazing. He has helped me out so much more than my previous prosthetic place did. He has taken his personal time to make sure I was fitted correctly and able to use my new leg thank you Bill

José R. E. M.