For Lucy Coombs, life as an amputee has been shaped by resilience, community, and a passion for helping others. Now a Patient Advocate at Allied OP, a member of Eqwal US, her journey to this role was anything but conventional.
Born with tibial hemimelia, Lucy underwent amputation at age three and quickly learned that success as an amputee wasn’t just about having the right prosthetic—it was about having the right support system.
Growing up in Boston, Lucy found mentors and lifelong friends through Camp No Limits and the Challenged Athletes Foundation, where she competed in her first triathlon swim challenge at the age of 11. These experiences fueled her belief that an active life is possible for every amputee—with the right support.
Lucy pursued a Health Sciences degree from Drexel University, initially planning to become a physical therapist. However, after witnessing the challenges faced by healthcare workers during the pandemic, she sought a broader impact.
One night, while bartending, an Allied OP clinician struck up a conversation with Lucy after noticing her prosthetic and asking, “What knee are you wearing?” What started as a casual conversation led to an unexpected opportunity—an offer to receive a new prosthetic leg fitted using Allied OP’s advanced resin process developed by Ossur. That experience changed everything.
Inspired by the care she received, Lucy joined Allied OP as a Patient Advocate just months later. As an amputee for 23 years, she understands the challenges of ill-fitting prosthetics, the importance of self-advocacy, and the emotional impact of limb loss.