The sore problem of prosthetic limbs

The sore problem of prosthetic limbs

TEDtalks

Read the paragraph. Highlight the correct meaning of each bold word. You will hear these words in the TED Talk.

Previewing

DAVID SENGEH grew up in Sierra Leone, where many people underwent amputation of their limbs during the country's civil war. Sengeh noticed that a lot of these people weren't wearing their prostheses. When he found out why, Sengeh realized that the conventional way of making artificial body parts wasn't working, and decided to do something about it. 

David Sengeh's idea worth spreading is that those who have a disability should have the opportunity to live active, enjoyable lives—beginning with more comfortable prosthetics.

Exercise 02

Now, choose the correct expressions.

Multiple Choice

In an amputation, a part of the body is _____ , either surgically or as the result of an accident or injury.

• cut off

• replaced

Multiple Choice

Your limbs are your _____

• fingers and toes

• arms and legs

Multiple Choice

If something is conventional, it’s based on an _____ way of doing things.

• uncommon

• accepted

Multiple Choice

Disability is a _____ that limits a person’s movements, senses, or activities.

• physical or mental condition

• side effect

Viewing

Watch Part 1 of the TED Talk. Then choose T for true, F for false, or NG for not given. 

Multiple Choice

David Sengeh had to flee with his family during the war in Sierra Leone.

• True

• False

• Not given

Multiple Choice

One of Sengeh's family members is an amputee.

• True

• False

• Not given

Multiple Choice

After the war, David Sengeh was troubled when he saw how some amputees were using their protheses incorrectly.

• True

• False

• Not given

Multiple Choice

Many amputees found their prosthetic limbs painful to wear because they didn't fit well.

• True

• False

• Not given

Exercise 03

Match the labels to the images that show how David Sengeh creates custom prosthetic sockets.

Multiple Choice

Finite Element Modeling

Multiple Choice

Prosthetic Socket

Multiple Choice

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Exercise 04

Choose the correct phrase to complete each sentence.

Multiple Choice

Sengeh creates a customized, multi-material prosthesis using a 3-D printer.

• Finite Element Modeling

• Prosthetic Socket

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Multiple Choice

Sengeh captures the actual shape of the patient’s anatomy.

• Finite Element Modeling

• Prosthetic Socket

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Multiple Choice

Sengeh predicts where pressure points on the socket will be.

• Finite Element Modeling

• Prosthetic Socket

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Exercie 05

Watch Part 3 of the TED Talk. Choose the correct options.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT mentioned by Sengeh?

• We need to remove the negative stereotype associated with wearing prostheses.

• We need to create comfortable and affordable prostheses.

• We need to make functional prostheses more readily available around the world.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence best paraphrases the following quote from the talk?

"Whether it's in Sierra Leone or in Boston, I hope this not only restores but indeed transforms their sense of human potential."

• Sengeh hopes that the work he's doing will make people more interested in helping others.

• Sengeh hopes that his work will help people become the best versions of themselves.

• Sengeh feels that people in poor countries need his work more than people in wealthy countries.