Jamie Tolle: How She Got Back on Her Feet Following Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia

Jamie Tolle was in her thirties when she started experiencing difficulty walking. A custom C-Brace orthosis enables her to walk independently without fear of falling and live life to the fullest.

Jamie Tolle was an active adult who enjoyed running, hiking, and being outdoors. Then in her thirties, she started to experience muscle spasms, had difficulty walking, and felt more exhausted.

“Eventually I discovered I had been born with Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia (HSP), a condition that causes progressive weakness and spasticity (stiffness) in the legs.

I was active, athletic, and a business woman. My diagnosis was devastating. It was very difficult to walk and be mobile. I lost myself because I couldn’t do the things that I used to,” said Jamie.

HSP is a slowly progressive disease. For most people, walking is second nature and they don’t think about it. For Jamie, HSP affects her neurological system. She isn’t able to move her muscles as easily and has to think about trying to walk.

Getting Back on Her Feet

At first, the news was devastating. Then she visited Hanger Clinic in Yuma, Arizona where she was fit with a custom C-Brace orthosis to help restore her mobility.

Jamie started therapy with her custom C-Brace and began walking independently again without the fear of stumbling and falling. She was thrilled to regain some of her freedom and mobility again.

She wants others experiencing difficulty walking and struggling with neurologic disorders to know there are solutions that can help. “I know what it is like to lose hope. I want others to be where I am at today, to succeed and thrive. I enjoy my life to the fullest and tell myself nothing can stop me. I’m grateful for the C-Brace and the orthotic experts at Hanger Clinic for helping me get back on my feet.”

With a goal to hike the Grand Canyon one day, Jamie is excited for what her future holds.