KEEPING UP WITH DUSKIE

With a special limb to fast-track her progress, there’s no stopping her now!

- Kasia De Vydt-Jillings

Running across the finish line of her primary school cross-country course, six-year-old Duskie Coulter was beaming with pride at her achievement.

A rite of passage for most children in New Zealand, the event was even more special for Duskie, whose right leg was amputated below the knee at 11 months old.

Until recently, this meant running around with friends and cousins while playing just wasn’t possible as she struggled to keep up with her prosthetic leg.

However, a secondary activity limb blade, funded by the Starship Foundation together with their Five Star Partner Barfoot & Thompson, has allowed the Kiwi kid to go pace for pace with her peers − and Duskie is delighted to no longer be missing out!

“She can do most things and has huge strengths in other areas to make up for what she can’t do physically,” shares mum Danielle, 30. “But it was hard as a parent to know she was being left behind and not able to do anything about it.”

Danielle explains that the prosthetic blade is designed with grips and springs specifically for physical activity, so Duskie can run and jump, which isn’t possible with her primary prosthetic. Not only that, but it can also get wet, making visits to the beach a newfound joy for the Auckland family.

“It’s so good for the little things that make a big difference to her, like skipping at school − and the other kids think it looks really cool,” says her mum.