Freedom Leg was established in 2008 after Joel, a former aerospace engineer at Boeing, found himself searching for a better mobility solution when his wife Patty suffered a knee injury. Frustrated by the limitations of traditional crutches, Joel set out to create a better mobility solution. Drawing on his engineering background and experience with recumbent bicycles and mobility devices through his company Forward Mobility, Joel developed the Freedom Leg prosthetic. The device transferred weight onto the upper leg, allowing Patty to stay active and continue her work as a gymnastics coach hands-free while remaining non-weight bearing.

What began as a home prototype quickly gained national attention. In 2009, the Freedom Leg Brace earned Joel the “Newpreneur of the Year” award from Inc. Magazine and Alibaba.com. As demand for a better alternative to crutches grew, Joel committed to refining the Freedom Leg design through extensive testing, feedback from medical professionals, and real-world user experience. The result was a highly functional, patented product that empowers people to stay active and independent while recovering from lower limb injuries.

Now in its third generation, the Freedom Leg has helped thousands regain independence during recovery, even including medics who used it in Iraq to aid injured soldiers. What started as a personal solution has become a nationally recognized innovation, built on a foundation of practical solutions, thoughtful design, and a mission to give people the freedom to move forward.