Jolene Emery
AE Amputee
 
Jolene Emery hasn't let life's complications get her down. In March 2000, Jolene had a car accident that left her without her left arm. Although the road to recovery hasn't been easy, Jolene has kept a positive outlook.
In Jolene's words, this is what happened on that fateful day in March. "As we neared American Falls, ID our Explorer tire rattled the rocks at the edge of the road. An over-correction at the wheel flipped the Explorer on to its top and my left arm rammed the glass sunroof and was crushed. The paramedics were quick [to respond] to the call of a passing motorists' cell phone and within 40 minutes they had the Explorer air bagged up so they could get my arm out without ripping anything more."
Despite the Paramedics' care in removing Jolene from the wrecked Explorer, doctors at were unable to save her arm. It was necessary to amputate above Jolene's left elbow. "My amputation put me in good surgeon's care and my recovery began," Jolene explained.
With the support of family and friends, Jolene was able to look past the new limitations that resulted from this unexpected twist in her life. As she recovered from surgery, she began to think about the possibilities that lay before her by way of prosthetic devices.
Jolene began her search for a "prosthesis that would look as real as possible and work to help my life become easier as I developed the skill of using it." Brownfields, the prosthetic facility in Boise, directed Jolene to the University of Washington and from there she came to Salt Lake City and Ability Prosthetic Systems, Inc.
Since Jolene's parents lived in Ogden, Salt Lake City turned out to be a very convenient place for Jolene to get her prosthesis. "I knew I would have lodging there so [I] could spend the time learning to use a new arm while visiting my parents," Jolene said.
However, convenience of location was not the only reason Jolene decided on Ability Prosthetic Systems, Inc. Jolene explained, “APS was very helpful. Tom had gone through much more than I had so [he] could answer all my questions.” Tom Andrew, CP, also introduced Jolene to other people who wear the Utah Arm, helping her to learn about its benefits first hand.
“ I chose [the Utah Arm] because I felt like I could learn to use it over time,” Jolene said. Because of the training and practice necessary to master the use of the Utah Arm, this positive attitude and willingness to learn has been very beneficial to Jolene. She is currently doing well with her arm and said, “the road is not easy with other complications that come with health, but each day I am glad I chose the Utah Arm.”