A young man who was diagnosed with bone cancer as a teenager had his specially designed prosthetic leg, worth $8,000, stolen from his car in Portland earlier this month.
Atticus Root, who has relied on this leg since he was 14 years old, was having dinner with friends on December 8. He had switched out his regular prosthetic for a spare and placed his custom leg in the trunk of his car along with some work tools for his job in welding. However, when he returned from dinner, both his tools and his prosthetic leg were gone.
Root’s prosthetic was essential for him, as he had lost his leg due to osteosarcoma, a rare type of bone cancer that affects children and young adults. The cancer was found in his left femur, leading to an amputation that required him to relearn how to walk and live life with his custom leg.
His uncle, Joshua Veldstra, expressed his frustration over the theft, describing it as a situation where Root “just can’t catch a break.” He mentioned that despite the challenging circumstances, Root is trying to stay positive, but losing his leg is a terrible ordeal.
Veldstra pointed out that while the prosthetic is valued at about $8,000, its true worth goes beyond money, as it provides vital support to Root in his daily life. He noted that the prosthetic helped Root regain his ability to exercise and was more comfortable than any other he had tried. It also featured a flexible knee and a blade for running.
“This leg was custom-made just for him, while his spare isn’t as comfortable,” Veldstra added. He stressed the importance of the prosthetic for Root’s work, as it allowed him to use both hands instead of relying on crutches.
Following the theft, Root’s mother, Irene Veldstra, reached out to the community for assistance, creating a fundraising page to collect the necessary funds to replace the leg. She described the situation as tough, as Atticus was finally starting to feel better and was getting back on track. She emphasized the uniqueness of the prosthetic, which was tailored specifically for him and lacked a serial number.
As donations poured in, the GoFundMe campaign successfully raised nearly $12,000. Veldstra shared that the family was immensely grateful to everyone who contributed, although it may take several months to acquire the new leg.
The Portland Police Bureau is actively investigating the case, and organizations are monitoring for any signs of the stolen prosthetic, as there are concerns it may have been discarded. Additionally, Oregon Crime Stoppers is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the return of the leg.
