A week after we reported on a Mayfair man whose prosthetic leg was stolen, the man who initially provided the leg for him decided to step in. NBC10’s Jim Rosenfield has the details.
A local prosthetic company is helping out a Philadelphia father of six after his prosthetic leg was stolen earlier this month.
Michael Stauffer, 45, had his leg amputated after he suffered a bone infection that required 29 surgeries. Six months ago however, his insurance paid for a titanium leg, provided by Lawall Prosthetic & Orthotic Services, that allowed him to comfortably move around.
On June 7 at 2:30 p.m., someone stole the leg when it was inside a moving van that was parked in front of Stauffer’s house on the 4000 block of Shelmire Avenue in the Mayfair section of the city.
“I had it all in a duffel bag and it’s the leg, the socket, the sleeve and all the screws,” Stauffer said. “How can you do that to somebody that’s disabled? One leg?”
Stauffer was forced to move on his knees in order to get around.
“I just don’t like getting around like this,” Stauffer said. “This is pretty much embarrassing.”
Stauffer told NBC10 his insurance wouldn't pay for a replacement for the expensive prosthetic which is worth $28,000.
Local
Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood.
After viewing our initial story last week, Jack Lawall of Lawall Prosthetic, decided to help Stauffer out once again and get him a new leg.
"I just thought that people do not realize when they take something from somebody how traumatic it can be," Lawall said. "Like an artificial leg. This man has six kids. He has to get up and chase his kids around without a leg. They don't understand."
Stauffer was fitted on Wednesday and is set to receive the new prosthetic leg Thursday.
"They tried to stop me but they didn't," Stauffer said. "What they're doing right now, I'm very pleased. I'm very happy and I can't thank them enough."
Police continue to search for the person who stole Stauffer's first prosthetic leg. If you have any information on the incident, please call Philadelphia Police.
