From Amputation to Advocacy in Prosthetic Care
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Keith Walton, a former postal worker from Colorado, turned his own amputation experience into a mission to support others adjusting to life with prosthetics. Born with clubfoot and later facing severe ankle complications, he chose above-knee amputation in December 2022. Within weeks, Walton returned to work and later joined Hanger Clinic as a clinical assistant, where he helps design, fit, and personalize prosthetic limbs. Drawing on the support he received from family, friends, and fundraisers, Walton now offers patients guidance, emotional support, and encouragement, reminding them that amputation can be the start of a new chapter. His work blends technical skill with compassion, empowering amputees to regain mobility and confidence.
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When Keith Walton agreed to have his leg removed, he knew his daily life would be drastically altered. What he didn’t yet know was that this personal trial would lead him into a career devoted to helping others adjust to life after limb loss.
Walton’s physical challenges began early. Born with clubfoot—a condition in which the foot turns downward and inward—he spent his life adapting to limited mobility. Despite this, he pursued a physically demanding job, following his father into the U.S. Postal Service as a mail carrier. For years, he navigated long walking routes, delivering mail through every season.
In late 2022, his health took a sharp turn. He developed a severe buildup of fluid in his ankle, a condition called ankle effusion. Surgery was performed in hopes of restoring function, but instead it reduced blood flow to his foot. Faced with irreversible damage, Walton chose to undergo an above-knee amputation on December 15, 2022.
The weeks after surgery tested him in every way. His wife and children provided constant support, and his 12-year-old son stepped in as caretaker during the most difficult days. Friends also rallied around him—James and Tammy McCreery organized a fundraiser to help cover the high cost of a prosthetic leg, which can range from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars.
By January 31, 2023, Walton was fitted with his first prosthesis. Determined to reclaim his routine, he returned to his postal route just over a month later. Delivering mail wasn’t just about the job—it became an opportunity to brighten someone’s day with a quick greeting or friendly smile. He noticed that even brief interactions could make a real difference for people who felt isolated.
That same belief in the power of connection now shapes his work at Hanger Clinic in Greeley, Colorado. In the summer of 2023, the clinic created a new role for him as a clinical assistant. His responsibilities go beyond fitting and adjusting prosthetic limbs—he also shares his own journey with patients, answers questions, and provides encouragement based on firsthand experience.
Walton quickly learned that many patients preparing for an amputation have never met someone who has gone through it. To bridge that gap, he offers his personal phone number so they have someone to reach out to during recovery. His message is consistent: limb loss is not the end of a person’s story—it can mark the start of a new chapter.
One of his favorite parts of the job is helping patients customize their prosthetics so they feel like an extension of their personality. Whether it’s adding bold colors, unique patterns, or subtle design elements, he believes personalization helps patients take pride in their device. He is also working toward becoming a certified prosthetic fitter, which will allow him to assist people in hospitals and urgent-care environments.
Walton’s path from patient to advocate hasn’t been easy, but he views every step as meaningful. Supporting others in regaining mobility and independence is more than a profession to him—it’s a calling that gives purpose to his own journey.
