Discovering New Life With New Hands

Its been more than a year since a devastating accident in Daviess County left one man with no hands.Though hes had to relearn how to live everyday life, he and his family are recuperating. Jason Koger and his wife Jenny were busy with a toddler and a newborn who had just started sleeping through the night. Then in March 2008, Jason was electrocuted by a down powerline. An ambulance rushed him to Owensboro Medical Health System -- then he was air-lifted to Vanderbilt in Nashville. After twelve days and more than six surgeries, Jason returned home with no hands. As time went on, Jason became more accustom to his prosthetics with some help from fellow bilateral amputees, but now its Jason wholl be learning things few other amputees know. Its how to use what are called Touch Bionic I-Limbs. They fit on his arms and when he flexes different parts of his forearms they can sense how he wants to move his hands. Jason is one of only three people in the world to have two of these limbs. Theyre made in Scotland and together they cost one hundred thousand dollars. Jason says its because he has two little girls to take care of that insurance is helping to pay. Jason challenges himself everyday with these arms -- writing his name with each hand --- and playing and beating his occupational therapist in Jenga -- but he says hes still got some learning to do. Jason and Jenny say, they know Jason could have died that day and without family friends and the community they may have fallen apart. Now, a year later, Jasons achieved so much -- most importantly holding his daughters hands with his own again. Jason Koger and his wife say they want to be a resource for other amputees and their families. His contact information is listed below. Jason Koger (270) 684-3225 jkoger84@hotmail.com www.caringbridge.org/visit/jasonkoger