Giulia’s Story: Finding Comfort, Confidence, and Better Socket Fit After Below-Knee Amputation

Meet Giulia, a proud below-knee amputee who loves to travel, read, discover new coffee shops, and spend time with family and friends. She speaks three languages, is half Swiss, holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Business, and this June marks seven years since her amputation.

Giulia was born with a rare condition called Fibular Hemimelia. Growing up, she wore a step prosthesis that helped accommodate the difference in length between her legs. For many years, it worked well. She was able to play sports, stay active, and rarely felt limited by her disability.

As she got older, however, she began experiencing increasing pain and mobility challenges. Eventually, this led to the decision to undergo an amputation at 18 years old.

Learning to Feel Comfortable Again

Recovery after amputation is different for everyone. For Giulia, the physical recovery was only one part of the journey. The emotional adjustment took longer.

Starting university around the same time made the transition even more challenging. She had to adapt not only to a new prosthesis, but also to a new version of herself.

Over time, one of the things that helped her regain confidence was working closely with her prosthetist to create a prosthetic setup she was excited to wear. She discovered different prosthetic options, including feet designed for running, swimming, and everyday use.

A few years later, Giulia also got into modelling, which helped her embrace every part of herself and contribute to disability representation in a meaningful way.

Her amputation became part of her story, but not the thing that defined her.

The Challenge of Socket Fit After Amputation

Like many lower-limb amputees, Giulia experienced challenges with socket fit.

After amputation, the residual limb can change throughout the day. These changes, often called limb volume variation, can affect how the prosthetic socket feels and performs. For some amputees, this means the socket may feel comfortable at one point in the day and loose, tight, unstable, or uncomfortable later on.

Traditionally, many amputees manage this by adding or removing prosthetic socks. Prosthetic socks can help compensate for changes in limb volume, but they can also require frequent adjustments throughout the day.

For Giulia, this was one of the challenges she faced before discovering the Overlay.

“I was having some issues with the overall fit of my socket before I was introduced to the Overlay,” she shared.

A Prosthetic Socks Alternative for Daily Volume Management

Giulia started using the Overlay this year, and it quickly became one of the tools that helped her regain comfort and mobility after amputation.

The Overlay is designed to help lower-limb amputees manage limb volume variation and improve socket fit throughout the day. Instead of relying only on adding prosthetic socks, the Overlay allows users to make simple adjustments directly through the integrated air system.

For Giulia, that made a difference.

“Rather than adding socks throughout the day, I can now resolve the discomfort with a simple press of a button thanks to the Overlay sleeve, which I am really grateful for.”

For amputees looking for a prosthetic socks alternative, the Overlay offers an adjustable way to help manage socket fit changes without constantly stopping to add or remove socks.

Staying Active, Trying New Things, and Building Confidence

For Giulia, comfort is not just about the socket. It is about being able to stay active, try new things, and focus on life beyond the prosthesis.

Recently, she has been getting into running and completed a couple of 5 km runs, which was an exciting milestone. She also learned how to play volleyball and hopes to try Pilates next.

These activities have helped her build confidence and continue challenging herself.

Whenever doubt comes up, Giulia tries to face it directly. For her, it is not about proving other people wrong. It is about proving to herself that she is capable and stronger than she sometimes gives herself credit for.

A Message for Other Amputees

Giulia’s message to anyone going through an amputation or living as an amputee is simple: the journey can be tough, but it can also teach you a lot about yourself.

She used to worry that her disability was the first and only thing people noticed about her. Over time, she realized that it is only one part of who she is, and something she now sees as a meaningful and even powerful part of her story.

“My disability does not define me, however it is a big part of my life, and always has been,” she shared.

With the support of her family, friends, prosthetic clinic, and companies developing new lower-limb amputation solutions, Giulia continues to thrive.

Her story is a reminder that the right support, the right prosthetic care, and the right tools for socket comfort can make a real difference in daily life.

Comfort That Supports the Life You Want to Live

At Ethnocare, stories like Giulia’s remind us why user-centered innovation matters.

The Overlay was created to help amputees manage limb volume variation, improve socket fit, and reduce the need for constant prosthetic sock adjustments throughout the day.

For Giulia, it has become part of a larger journey: one of comfort, confidence, movement, and self-acceptance.

And that journey is still moving forward.