We were able to establish proper testing procedures and build a team rather than rely on unpaid midnight work.

One of our first hires was Daniel Ortiz, a veteran who used a different kind of prosthesis than I did.

He told me, politely but firmly, that I was assuming too much from my own experience.

I had designed for the way I walked, the surfaces I used, and the things I wanted to do.

Other people had different priorities.

“Your experience matters,” he said.