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Reader Submitted: Marie-T: Prosthesis for Ballerinas

Marie-T is a prosthesis that allows amputees to perform ballet.

Prosthetics is discussed in two manners. A artificial limb to imitate the organic human body or one to excel above it. However, Marie-T is a prosthesis aimed to inspire creativity. There is a community of Amputees that lives life with a prosthesis. They are a community that lives uniquely in their own style. Marie-T is a prosthetic leg that is designed to allow amputees to dance in a way that is uniquely their own. In ballet ballerinas move up and down from a pointe position in order to create a beautiful and ethereal affect. However, pointe puts immense strain on the foot and ankle of a performer, and even with practice starting from a young age, it is near impossible to perform constantly at this position.

However, I wanted to explore what would happen if you could allow a person to perform on Pointe 100% of the time. How would ballet change? I wanted to create a tool for someone to take and let their imagination define the capabilities of the product.