Penny:
Blade XT

Going beyond limitations

Penny Pan's life is a remarkable journey of resilience, perseverance, and self-discovery. Born and raised in China, her life took a dramatic turn at the age of 16 when she made the difficult decision to amputate her left leg below the knee after enduring years of unsuccessful treatments due to a misdiagnosis.

"I spent more than eight years in and out of hospitals starting from the age of eight,” Penny recalls. “Medically, I struggled to attend school regularly, so I taught myself at home and only participated in classrooms between surgeries. While I did miss out a lot, I was fortunate to have strong support from my family so I never felt inadequate.” When Penny turned 16, she faced a choice: to amputate or continue treatment. “Eight years is a long time, especially for a child. Although I didn’t fully understand what life would be like as an amputee, I knew that I would have the chance to walk again, and that was good enough for me to proceed with the amputation."

A Fresh start in the UK 

One year after her amputation, Penny made another life-changing decision: she moved to the UK for new opportunities and a fresh start. It was a bold move, but Penny was determined to pursue her dreams and rebuild her life.

"I didn’t want to be defined by my disability," Penny says. "I wanted to see and experience the world and live a full life despite what had happened."

Penny enrolled at the University of Birmingham, and despite the physical challenges associated with wearing a prosthesis, she graduated at the top of her class and completed two summer work programs in the US. "Those university years were tough," she reflects. "As a new amputee, my stump was still changing, and the prosthesis required regular adjustments. I wasn’t familiar with the NHS system and didn’t know where and how to get the help I needed, so I would fly back to China regularly to have the socket upgrade. That being said, the most difficult aspect wasn't the physical challenges of being an amputee or the logistic burden of all the long-distance travels and fittings, etc., but the impact of being an amputee had on my confidence. It took me many years to fully embrace my disability."

From classroom to boardroom 

After graduated from University of Birmingham, Penny was offered a full scholarship to pursue a PhD in Economics at Pennsylvania State University in the US. However, complications with her stump led to another surgery and the decision to shift her career path.

"Becoming an Economist had always been my dream. When I left the PhD programme, for a while I wasn’t sure what I would do with my career. At the time, the western world was going through the 2008/09 financial crisis with a depressed job market. So, I decided to return to China and look for opportunities back home."

It turned out to be the right decision. Penny’s career took off. She joined Fosun International as an Investment Manager, investing and managing investments across Europe and Southeast Asia. "The work is exciting and very rewarding. I get to meet companies and travel a lot which I very much enjoyed. Obviously, with a prothesis, frequent long distance travel is always physically challenging. But you learn to manage." She shares. "I think what was perhaps more challenging for me was how to navigate corporate life as an amputee. For many years, I did not tell my colleagues about my leg. I was very self-conscious and didn’t want to be judged or treated differently."

In 2015, Penny was offered a prestigious scholarship to pursue an MBA at Saïd Business School, Oxford University. "It was an eye-opening experience for me, and a privilege to be part of such a renowned global institution," she reflects. However, upon her arrival in Oxford, Penny faced an unexpected challenge: a medical situation required emergency surgery on her stump, leaving her reliant on a wheelchair for over six months.

This setback led to a delay in her MBA study, but Penny returned the following year, determined to succeed. Upon graduating from Oxford, she decided to change her career direction and ventured into investment banking.

Penny's journey led her to work with esteemed firms such as Baird and Goldman Sachs. She currently serves as an Associate Director at Investec's Industrials M&A team based in London, where she leverages her unique experiences and insights to provide strategic advice to C-level executives and financial professionals around the world.  

Beyond Limitations: Blatchford’s Blade XT 

Outside of her professional pursuits, Penny has always been eager to enhance her athletic abilities.

Running has been on Penny's mind for years. "I tried various options with different brands over the years, but I couldn't find a suitable blade. It was either the socket fitting or the spring which didn't work for me."

In 2023, everything changed when Penny was fitted with Blatchford’s Blade XT. "The difference was like night and day." She speaks fondly of her new blade, attributing it to her newfound confidence. "Before the Blade XT, the running blade I had was less versatile and not suitable for everyday use. With the Blade XT, I can use it as a walking leg, as well as engaging in all sorts of sports and activities, thanks to its traction heel. It’s a freedom I hadn’t experienced in years," she says. 

Looking Onward and Forward 

Reflecting on her 24 years as an amputee, Penny has learned to appreciate the journey. "When you walk with artificial leg (s), every step requires effort, and every minute of every day is a battle to be won. Discomfort, pain, etc. is constant, you just have to soldier on. It is easy to give up and stay in one’s comfort zone. That’s why having the right prosthesis, which allows patients to perform everyday activities more easily—such climbing stairs, walking over uneven terrain, jogging, etc. — significantly helps amputees build confidence."

Penny’s goals today are as ambitious as ever. "Running with Blade XT is just the beginning," she said, "I want to do more – London Marathon, hiking, surfing, dancing, everything! Sky is the limit, not the leg!"

Penny’s story is one of determination and perseverance – she has overcome numerous obstacles and sthrived in a competitive profession. We wish Penny the best and support her for her future endeavour!