Sunshine Coast amputee Wes Raddysh trials prosthetic leg following horror crash

After losing his leg in a horrific crash last year when hit by a car on the way to an interview for his dream job, this Noosa man has learned to walk again. WATCH THE VIDEO.

A Noosa man has learned to walk again after losing his leg last year when he was hit by a car on the way to an interview for his dream job.

Twelve months ago, retiree Wes Raddysh lost his right leg when hit by a car at Tewantin, on the way to a job interview with Noosa Ferry and Cruises.

After almost giving up on uncomfortable prosthetic legs, Mr Raddysh was invited to a trial at Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, for new technology being used for casting of legs.

Sunshine Coast man Wes Raddysh lost his right leg when hit by a car at Tewantin, on the way to a job interview. Picture – contributed.

He is now once again mobile, has secured his dream skipper job, and is raising money to support similar projects.

All donations to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital would support patient care projects and lifesaving research, such as new prosthetic leg technology which has helped Mr Raddysh regain his mobility and secure a dream job.

Mr Raddysh lost his left leg in a horrific motorcycle accident after he was hit by a car on the way to a job interview. 

“Since that day, when I nearly died, every day is a gift,” Mr Raddysh said.

“But without the donations to get new casting equipment for RBWH, I wouldn’t be walking around as well or as far as I am now.”

Sunshine Coast man Wes Raddysh lost his right leg when hit by a car at Tewantin, on the way to a job interview. Picture – contributed.

Three months ago, Mr Raddysh became one of the first patients to trial new RBWH hydrostatic pressure technology.

Every year, RBWH manufactured below-the-knee prostheses for about 100 patients who can travel from around Queensland, Northern New South Wales and the Northern Territory.

Director of orthotics and prosthetics Jessica Angus said it was the only public hospital in Australia with access to the expensive technology.

“Traditional hand casting techniques are performed with the patient in a seated position,” Ms Angus said.

“The main limitation is that the soft tissue changes shape under load and this is difficult to replicate.”

Wes Raddysh. Picture – contributed.

During hydrostatic pressure casting, a standing patient rested their affected leg on a silicone membrane, inserted into a cylinder filled with water.

Hydrostatic (water) pressure was then applied to the limb while in full weight bearing, allowing sensitive areas, bony structures, pressure and pain points to be identified. 

Sunshine Coast man Wes Raddysh lost his right leg when hit by a car at Tewantin, on the way to a job interview. Picture – contributed.

“To give a patient, who otherwise might have used a wheelchair for mobility, the opportunity to walk is extremely rewarding,” she said.  

Mr Raddysh had almost given up on regaining full mobility and independence because of the pain caused by his previous prosthetic leg. Despite years of training for running and cycling marathons, walking more than 200 metres had become his toughest challenge.

Just weeks after undergoing hydrostatic pressure casting, Mr Raddysh was walking eight hours a day and recently hiked seven kilometres.

Sunshine Coast man Wes Raddysh lost his right leg when hit by a car at Tewantin, on the way to a job interview. Picture – contributed.

“My new prosthetic arrived and as soon as I put it on, it was like a Eureka moment,” he said.

“It just fit and I was able to walk straight away. 

“Ten and a half months after missing that job interview, I made it to a new interview and got the job as a skipper on the iconic Noosa Ferry.

“Owner David has been incredibly helpful, getting me out on the water again to my happy place.”