#United States #Austin #adaptive sports #Ottobock #Paralympics

Ottobock Celebrates a Milestone Year

Ottobock North America, a leader in prosthetics and mobility solutions, is marking a remarkable year filled with community movement events and vital partnerships aimed at supporting adaptive athletes across the United States and Canada. In 2025, the company really stepped up its efforts through initiatives like the Full Circle Movement and specialized Running Clinics, ultimately impacting hundreds who face limb loss and limb differences. This achievement not only highlights Ottobock's commitment to fostering inclusivity but also reinforces its stature as a global authority in adaptive sports.

Impactful Events Across North America

In this bustling year, Ottobock hosted a total of nine major community movement events spanning coast to coast. These included enthusiastic gatherings under the Full Circle Movement initiative in places like Ypsilanti, Michigan; Tempe, Arizona; Torrance, California; and San Antonio, Texas. Moreover, the initiative broadened its reach into the Canadian community with engaging events in cities like Richmond, British Columbia, and Ottawa, Ontario.

Key highlights from these events included:

• - 200+ participants engaging in various adaptive movement exercises
• - 125+ prosthesis trials conducted, giving hands-on experience with cutting-edge technology
• - 168 attendees obtaining continuing education units (CEUs) tailored for healthcare professionals

Mick Pearce, Senior Clinical Manager of Ottobock Canada's PCS team noted, “The growth of Full Circle Movement in Canada is making a clear impact. These events promote access to advanced prosthetic technology, strengthen clinical skills, and give patients practical opportunities to advance their mobility.”

Attendees included both novice and experienced prosthesis users, caregivers, local clinicians, and other allies. Each event aimed to provide educational sessions, opportunities for peer networking, product trials, and personalized mobility support—all orchestrated by Ottobock’s dedicated clinicians, product specialists, and athlete ambassadors.

Meaningful Partnerships and Momentum

These community initiatives were strategically coordinated with various partners and aimed to specifically empower the amputee community. At the Texas Parasport Games in San Antonio, Ottobock supported 20 prosthesis users and 36 volunteers who earned 23 CEUs through hands-on programming. Furthermore, Eastern Michigan University hosted a record-setting event in Ypsilanti, welcoming 34 participants, while 34 clinicians received CEUs. Meanwhile, at the Desert Challenge Games in Tempe, Arizona, adaptive athletes were able to trial innovative prosthetic technologies alongside their annual competitions. In collaboration with the Angel City Games organization in Torrance, there was notable community engagement through outreach efforts.

The Year concluded with a highlight clinic in Frisco, Texas, offering adaptive athletes the chance to enhance their running techniques and confidence while trying out running-specific prosthesis options. This exceptional experience took place at the Elite Performance Training facility, a space known for its world-class training setups, including use by top-tier athletes like the Dallas Cowboys.

Lucas Crisanti, CPO and lead coach for Ottobock’s movement programs, shared, “The most powerful part of every event isn’t the running blades or the drills, it’s the community. Watching people step into new possibilities, encourage each other, and remember what their bodies are capable of is the reason we show up.” This powerful sentiment encapsulates the spirit of each event—where every participant, whether taking their first steps or chasing new goals, inspires Ottobock to continue advancing adaptive sports.

Legacy of Paralympic Support

In addition to expanding its community footprint, Ottobock has remained steadfast in its support for athletes on the global stage. Since its inception in 1988, Ottobock has served as the sole technical service provider to Paralympians worldwide, offering free repairs, maintenance, and technical assistance. Looking ahead, Ottobock's legacy will continue as they gear up for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics, where they will operate the world’s largest free repair service for adaptive equipment. Then, the focus will shift back home for the historic Los Angeles 2028 Summer Paralympics, which will celebrate a milestone for Ottobock's North American headquarters and team.

Committed to Empowering Movement

Through elite competitions and grassroots community initiatives, Ottobock remains dedicated to democratizing mobility and enhancing access to adaptive sports. Scott Schneider, Head of Government Medical Affairs and Future Development at Ottobock North America, expressed, “Every clinic, every fitting, every repair… this work fuels our mission. These moments are where innovation meets real life.”

The impact of this past year serves as a strong foundation as Ottobock commits to pushing mobility forward, expanding opportunities, and setting the standard for adaptive support as they march towards Milan Cortina 2026 and LA 2028. With two significant Paralympic Games on the horizon, Ottobock is poised to lead the future of adaptive sports through innovation, collaboration, and unmatched community investment.