March 21 - April 3, 2017 • Vol. 2, No. 4
Every Issue Complimentary Every Time
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‘I’M DETERMINED TO GET BACK’
Winemaker continues his arduous journey Chris Bratcher hopes Cal Poly students can provide him a high-tech hand by Drew Esnard
drew@santaynezvalleystar.com
C
hris Bratcher hasn’t allowed the loss of his right hand to slow his roll through life. He’s taken on the challenges resulting from a traumatic winemaking accident with a sense of curiosity and enthusiasm. And, when an unexpected offer arose from a group of Cal Poly engineering students to devise a custom prosthetic, he greeted the opportunity with the same spirit. Wine industry folk, and perhaps many other locals, will remember the story—a grape de-stemmer severed Bratcher’s hand just above the wrist while he was making wine for his Bratcher Winery label in September 2014. The accident “certainly created physically challenging issues for me, but my life isn’t any harder than it was. It’s not any less full. I’ve always been somebody who loves challenges, and in that way this has been an intense challenge. I find that interesting,” Bratcher said. The world of prosthetics has proved to be an interesting challenge in and of itself. Bratcher is currently using a conventional, body-powered hook prosthesis. The experience has been rather dismal as the straps are difficult to secure and the different sockets have presented Goldilocks-like problems. They’re meant to fit snugly yet comfortably over his residual limb, but the sub-par fit of each socket causes great discomfort. Additionally, Bratcher has been experiencing significant pain from the overuse of his left
Photo contributed Local vintner Chris Bratcher is working with a group of engineering students in Cal Poly’s Quality of Life Plus Student Association, who develop innovative medical devices.
arm that has resulted in tendinitis. Cortisone shots have been effective in relieving the pain temporarily, but he had to stop the treatment, as long-term use would likely cause irreversible damage to the tissue. Not surprisingly, Bratcher became a bit nervous over the prospect of becoming more dependent on others for basic tasks, consistent denials from his health insurance company for a better prosthesis, and the progressively
debilitating pain in his left arm. Nervous, but not discouraged. “I’m determined to get back. I just need to get over the hump and get both sides working well enough,” Bratcher said. “I hate not being able to do the things that I love, that’s what’s most frustrating. The only thing that’s really going to help my left arm is rest.” Resting his left arm is dependent upon acquiring a more efficient prosthesis.
A possible solution arose last summer when a group of engineering students at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo expressed an interest in making Bratcher a custom prosthetic called a myoelectric hand. The project has gained traction after an initial meeting on Feb. 4. Cal Poly’s Quality of Life Plus (QL+) Student Association develops innovative medical
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