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Susan van Staden in action with her new brace, designed by Icexpress. |
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Dynamic prosthetics company, Icexpress, has again combined technological expertise and a passion for seeing the people of Africa reach their full potential by helping another client achieve greater sporting heights. Icexpress is a resident at The Innovation Hub.
Susan van Staden was rendered completely disabled from the neck down and bound to a wheelchair for an entire year after contracting the Guilliam Barre syndrome. Through the help of physiotherapy, Susan started walking again but the nerve endings and muscles in her lower legs had been permanently damaged.
This was no deterrent for Susan, however. In 2000 she started cycling and in 2004 she was selected to participate in the Paralympics Games, where she achieved a 10th place. Susan's quest for excellence led her to compete in the European Championships in 2005 and in the track and road races at the World Championships in Switzerland in 2006, where she achieved 8th place in both events. This year she won five gold medals at the SA Championships, set a new South African record for the 500m track race, and is currently Klerksdorp's Sports Woman of the Year.
Susan believes that she can still achieve more, especially now with the specialised carbon fibre braces designed for her lower legs by Icexpress. According to Operational Manager, Johan Snyders, these aids were designed with the best-of-breed technology and innovation in mind. "Carbon fibre is a material straight out of the original NASA space programmes. It is cutting edge prosthetic technology - very light and very strong", says Snyders.
According to Susan, the new braces have helped to improve her finishing times significantly. Snyders and his team are currently manufacturing a new set of braces for her that is even lighter and more aerodynamic. "In cycling every second counts and can bring one nearer to winning a medal, so the aerodynamic aspect becomes very important. If all goes according to plan I will be able to test the new set in November this year - really something to look forward to", says Susan.
For Snyders, being able to make a difference to their clients' lives is especially fulfilling for Icexpress. "We are very outcome-driven and like to get a good result for our clients. Here we are making a local difference for South Africans to compete internationally. That means a lot to us considering that we have come from a past where, as a country, we were once completely cut off from the rest of the world", he added.
Susan is currently preparing for the Paralympic Games in Beijing next year. With the help of a rigorous training regime, physiotherapy, the braces designed by Icexpress', and her immutable determination and strength of character, she hopes to bring back the gold for her country. This is a feat which history has shown is well within Susan's reach, as - in her own words - "you only fail when you stop trying to succeed".
For more information on Icexpress and its products and services, contact Johan Snyders at +27 12 844 0405.
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