Beauden: Mini BladeXT

At just seven years old, Beauden is already proving that the proper support can literally help you stand your ground. After losing his legs as a toddler, Beauden is now thriving in school, enjoying life with his friends, and living for his time on the baseball field, thanks in no small part to his Blatchford Mini BladeXT prostheses.

A tough start and a game-changing solution Beauden’s journey began when a bike accident at age 3 led to a severe staph infection. Despite best efforts, he went into septic shock, resulting in bilateral limb loss. It was a devastating and life-altering experience for his family.

“We were still in denial and deep in the grieving process at our first appointment,” Beauden’s family remembers. “We didn’t know what the future would hold.”

But what followed was a story of resilience, innovation, and the impact of getting the right prosthetic at the right time.

From early on, Beauden’s clinician, Jillian Okimoto at Hanger Clinic, had been part of his journey. As he became more active and confident, his family began looking for a prosthetic leg that matched his energy. When baseball entered the picture, they realised he needed something more advanced.

Confidence, comfort, and control

Designed specifically for younger users, the Mini BladeXT is a high-performance prosthetic foot for active children and teens. It combines energy return with excellent stability and control, three things Beauden needs to live life to the fullest.

Commonly with high-performance blade feet, users will experience “searching for balance” or “bouncing” when standing. The Mini BladeXT features a unique heel spring with a grip pad, providing conventional stability while maintaining high-level performance. For Beauden, that stability has been transformational.

“The pads on the bottom have changed everything,” his family explains. “Before, he would bounce back and forth trying to stay upright. Now he can stand still, hit a baseball, and focus on having fun. He even has baseballs printed on his sockets.”

A future full of dreams

Beauden’s life is a vibrant mix of school, sports, and smiling for the camera. He excels in first grade and is also a model and proud baseball player. “Not only can Beauden stand easily, but he can play confidently,” his family says. “The Mini BladeXT lets him stay balanced and comfortable, even when running bases or posing for a photo shoot.” His dreams? To keep going. “He wants to keep playing baseball, which means the world to us. The Mini BladeXT doesn’t just support his legs, it supports his spirit.”

Support that moves with him

For clinicians like Jillian Okimoto, it’s about helping children live without limits. From those days of uncertainty to seeing Beauden run and play easily, the right prosthetic choice has made all the difference. “Seeing how he moves now, it’s like watching a new kid,” Jillian says. “He’s active, he’s engaged, and he’s stable. That’s what we want for all our pediatric patients.”

A little balance goes a long way.

The Mini BladeXT might be designed for small users, but its impact is enormous. For Beauden, it means stability, independence, and, above all, being able to just be a kid again.