[Narration] Design student Jess Quinn is a keen follower of fashion
[Narration] But this delivery is more than just the latest accessory.
Wow! the detail is crazy!
It's just so life like.
I wasn't expecting the detail
to be so defined. It's crazy. Even down to
the different colouration in the foot.
I was quite nervous about it arriving in
case it wasn't what I expected it to be
but it's even better than I was expecting.
[Narration] In 2001 Jess became one of the
first people in New Zealand to have a
rotationplasty. The surgery was not only
necessary it was life-changing.
I think I was about 8 when I got diagnosed.
I had cancer in my femur so I was
basically given two options which was
to have a bone replacement and the other
was to amputate my leg so I went with the rotationplasty.
Rotationplasty is an operation which
is a very rare procedure where we take the
lower leg and attach it near the hip joint
but we rotate the lower leg around 180
degrees so as we can provide some sort of
biological hinge or knee by using the
ankle or foot.
So when I'm using my knee I'm actually
moving my foot. It's quite a weird thing
to wrap your head around.
I do remember waking up I was in ICU
and getting a lemonade ice block
as you always do after
surgery and I remember the surgeons and
mum and dad being so shocked because I
could move it about 4 hours after surgery
and I don't think they were expecting that.
There's such a difference being on crutches
with a prosthetic than being on crutches
without one. You feel invincible it's like
I don't need crutches I've got a leg now.
But it was also hard work, as a young kid
I expected oh I've got a leg now I can run
and bike ride and do all these things but
it was like oh I've got a leg and now I
have to learn how to walk again.
[Narration] Fashion has always been
important to Jess she's currently studying
for a bachelor of fashion design.
I get quite excited about being able to draw
something and then seeing the final product
I follow streetwear quite a lot that's
where most of my clothing fits. If you look
in my wardrobe it's just sneakers because
I don't really wear open toed shoes.
I remember there was a time when I didn't
want to go out because I felt self-conscious
but as I've gotten older I've figured if
I'm confident about it other people will
be too.
[Narration] Like any young woman looking
good is important to Jess. She's flown
to Sydney to be fitted for a newly developed
prosthetic. It's more life-like than
previous limbs it has separate toes and is
toned to match her skin.
Today we're just going to go through the process
of colour matching, measuring up, taking some
casts of the other side. And ultimately today
is about making sure what we do is what
you'd like. So if you want to go and put
some shorts on we'll be able to have a
closer look and get started on some
colour matching.
Basically they're using the same leg that I
currently have but stripping back
everything else and recovering it. So they're
making a really realistic cover with toes
and toenails and all of that stuff. So
that's really exciting.
I can't feel anything in there!
They've got this thing set at the right
heel height so my calf's at the right
definition. Who would have known!
Just lean forward on that for me. You
don't have to put too much weight on that
just a little bit.
That's exactly what we're looking for.
It's quite a weird feeling to look down I
haven't had proper toes for 13 years so
it's weird to look down because they are
so real. My life would be so different
without them I think I'd be a lot less confident.
Adjusting to life with a new limb takes time
and rotationplasty isn't right for everyone.
But for Jess the benefits are clear.
I've always just said I'd rather have my
life and a backwards foot than have to go
through cancer again.