The Science Behind Our Grief-Informed Approach
Loss of a limb creates multiple types of grief that traditional rehabilitation often overlooks. Universal Limbs has developed interventions based on cutting-edge grief research, recognizing that successful prosthetic adaptation requires processing emotional losses alongside learning new skills.
Our approach draws from Stroebe & Schut’s dual process model of grief, which shows that healthy grieving involves oscillating between loss-oriented coping (acknowledging pain, remembering what was lost) and restoration-oriented coping (developing new skills, building new connections). This research-backed framework guides how we structure our workshops.
For children with limb loss, grief is particularly complex. They’re not just mourning the physical limb, but also changes to their identity, capabilities, and future possibilities. Research by Neimeyer & Burke (2015) on meaning reconstruction theory shows that children benefit from exploring how their experiences fit into their understanding of themselves and their world.
Our workshops create dedicated time for both aspects of grief. Children learn to honor their losses - perhaps through drawing, storytelling, or symbolic activities - while also developing new skills and discovering adapted ways to engage in meaningful activities. We’ve found that children who try to skip the grief process often struggle more with prosthetic acceptance.
The continuing bonds theory (Klass et al., 1996) informs how we help children maintain connection to their pre-injury selves while developing new aspects of identity. Children don’t need to abandon who they were before - they can integrate their experiences into an expanded sense of self.
Research specific to conflict zones shows additional complexities. When children experience limb loss due to war, they’re processing traumatic grief alongside anticipatory grief about an uncertain future. Our trauma-informed grief work addresses these layered experiences comprehensively.
The evidence is clear: children who receive grief-informed prosthetic support show better long-term adaptation, higher prosthetic use rates, and improved psychological wellbeing. By honoring the emotional journey alongside the physical rehabilitation, we create stronger foundations for lifelong success.