Filip Pockelé - water sports adventurer

RESC: Filip, how do you usually introduce yourself when you meet someone new?

Filip Pockelé (FP): I am a very active and energetic husband and dad of three children who loves to be outdoors! Most of the time you can find me outside – preferably snowboarding in the winter and mountain biking in the summer. Despite having my left leg amputated above the knee in 2016, I continue to be adventurous and explore new activities. In my daily life I use the Ottobock Genium X3 as a prosthetic leg. It is waterproof and has many high-tech features, even allowing me to do water sports.

RESC: Which quality makes you really stand out?

FP: I consider myself a very positive person who likes to inspire others. I always try to keep a positive mindset, look ahead and think about the things I can still accomplish, rather than the things I am no longer capable of doing. Life is short - so I want to make the most out of every day!

RESC: What are people without physical limitations most amazed by when they meet you?

FP: People appreciate my constant determination and that I always push myself to keep trying to do the same activities I did prior to my amputation. When people see me on the snowboard or mountain bike with my prosthetic leg, they always watch and some of them stop and approach me to ask questions. I am very open-minded and have no hesitation in answering their questions.

RESC: In which situations do you feel “dis-​abled”?

FP: Sometimes it is challenging when my children want to engage in activities that are difficult with a prosthetic leg, such as football, climbing in a playground or hiking in the mountains. I always give it a try but when it doesn’t work how I would like, I get frustrated sometimes.

Additionally, it feels a bit strange sometimes when people stare at me and then quickly turn away when I look back at them. I prefer how children handle it – they simply watch me and then ask what the “thing on my leg” is. I usually answer that I have a special “robot leg” and the kids love it.

RESC: What is your greatest wish for the future?

I hope that my body will keep up with my lifestyle. It is important for me to stay healthy and active. I am scared of having to say no to my children when they want to play or participate in sports together because of physical limitations.

I would love to spend more time wakeboarding again and learning how to wingfoil, which is another water sport that has really caught my interest.

Bio

My name is Filip Pockelé, and I am a 42-year-old carpenter. Originally from Belgium, I now live in Switzerland with my wife and our three children. We love going on vacation and exploring different places as a family. In 2016, I lost my leg in a kitesurfing accident. Despite my amputation, I enjoy mountain biking, stand-up paddleboarding and going snowboarding in my free time. I also find great satisfaction in assisting other amputees who are struggling to remain active, as I am determined to stay active and experience a variety of new sports.

external page Filip Pockelé on Instagram

Desiree Beck of the Competence Centre for Rehabilitation Engineering and Science (RESC) spoke with Filip Pockelé in August 2023.