Amputee Marine can lift up to 400 pounds with homemade prosthetic leg

human interest

by taylor knight

Robo-dad reporting for a mission.

A former Marine and father-of-one who lost an arm in Afghanistan has regained his strength and then some after receiving a custom-made superhero-like prosthetic leg that can lift up to 400 pounds. .

“This is the only prosthetic leg that I can do anything with and that I can trust,” Corporal Sebastian Guadalupe Gallegos told Southwest News Service.

Gallegos, 32, lost his arm in 2010 after being hit by an improvised explosive device (IED). He struggled to adapt and tried 15 traditional prosthetics, none of which seemed suitable for his active lifestyle.

The arm broke frequently, sometimes even during simple tasks such as carrying groceries.

“If it's a shopping bag, it will tear. It's the torque movement from rocking it back and forth or carrying a jug of water,” Gallegos added. [only] You'll probably be able to lift 3 to 5 pounds. ”

The San Antonio, Texas, resident was disappointed enough that he developed an aluminum and carbon fiber arm a year and a half ago with the help of his engineer friend George Schroeder.

“My new arm doesn't look like an arm. Many prosthetics look natural, but that's why they are so fragile. They are so small,” he said.

His prosthetic arm, which he enjoys decorating with cultural symbols and skulls, allows him to lift heavy loads without buckling.

“The highest weight I deadlifted was 400 pounds — 75 pounds is the weight I could safely lift,” said the avid gym-goer.

Gallegos can now confidently pick up her 1-year-old son, Xolo, if he lifts him properly.

“The real reason I'm most grateful for my prosthetic leg is because I became a father. I use my prosthetic leg almost exclusively when I carry my son,” he added.

Sholo reportedly loves his father's unique look.

“He loves it. It's really cute. He thinks people with two arms are weirder,” Gallegos laughed.

The proud dad's superhero-like appendages are getting a lot of attention on his TikTok account @tejano_space_cowboy. His followers often compare him to the video game character and Marvel superhero “The Winter Soldier.”

“My brother is Johnny Silverhand,” the jokester wrote.

“I don't mean this in a bad way, but your robot arm is so cool,” another person commented.