REYKJAVIK, Iceland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Boston Marathon bombing survivors Patrick Downes and Jessica Kensky learned about the latest innovations in prosthetic limbs while visiting Össur’s global headquarters in Reykjavik, Iceland this week.
In April 2013, then-newlyweds Downes and Kensky were spectators standing near the finish line of the Boston Marathon, and both lost lower limbs as a result of the explosion. Today, both partners wear Össur prostheses; Downes is a left below-knee amputee, and Kensky recently became a bilateral (double) below-knee amputee after undergoing several subsequent surgeries. During their visit, the couple provided feedback to the company’s R&D team regarding their Össur technologies, and previewed next-generation prosthetic innovations currently in development.
“Patrick and Jessica have overcome tragic circumstances, and demonstrated exceptional courage and personal resolve in their recovery. We were honored and inspired by their visit,” said Jon Sigurdsson, President & CEO of Össur.
Robert C. Barber, the U.S. Ambassador to Iceland and long-time family friend of Patrick Downes, accompanied the couple as they toured Össur's state-of-the-art facilities.
“It was a pleasure to be reunited with Patrick and Jessica, who are progressing in their recovery despite the heart-breaking challenges they have faced. It was exciting to see how collaboration between Icelanders and Americans with technology developed by Össur might further enhance their lives in the future,” Ambassador Barber said.
Also accompanying Downes and Kensky to Össur was Mike Corcoran, Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist (CPO). Corcoran, who runs Medical Center Orthotics & Prosthetics in Silver Spring, Maryland, played a central role in supporting Kensky’s recovery while she received care at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center earlier this year.
“At Össur, we remain tireless in our dedication to developing the technologies that will help people enjoy a life without limitations. We are gratified to have hosted Patrick and Jessica, Ambassador Barber and Mike Corcoran, and look forward to continuing our work together to enhance the quality of life for more people with limb loss and other mobility issues,” Sigurdsson concluded.
About Össur
Össur [NASDAQ:
OSSR] is a global leader in non-invasive orthopaedics that help
people live a life without limitations. Its business is focused on
improving people’s mobility through the delivery of innovative
technologies within the fields of Prosthetic, Osteoarthritis and Injury
Solutions. A recognized “Technology Pioneer,” Össur invests
significantly in research and product development—its award-winning
designs ensuring a consistently strong position in the market.
Successful patient and clinical outcomes are further empowered via
Össur’s educational programs and business solutions. Headquartered in
Iceland, Össur has major operations in the Americas, Europe and Asia,
with additional distributors worldwide. www.ossur.com
NOTE TO MEDIA: Still photos, b-roll and video interviews of Patrick Downes and Jessica Kensky visiting Össur’s headquarters in Reykjavik, Iceland are available at http://bit.ly/1VbPIqp
