Paralympians benefit from cutting-edge prosthetics. Many Canadians can’t afford them – CBC

Most parts of Canada don’t cover sport prosthetics, which cost thousands of dollars

Mar 02, 2026

For decades, paralympians have been landing on the podium with help from advances in prosthetics, including lighter, more flexible materials. But while similar technology is often available to many people living with disabilities, high costs can put it out of reach.

Prosthetic limbs have evolved over the years. Carbon fibre has made some devices lighter and more energy efficient, and digital design allows fittings to be tailored to a person’s body, improving stability and control.

Some prosthetics also include electronic components — often in joints or hands — that use sensors to react in real time. If someone trips, for example, some prosthetic knees can detect it and lock to help prevent a fall.

“The knee and foot that Terry Fox was using, what we have now is just night and day different,” said Shane Glasford, a certified prosthetist and team lead of prosthetics at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto.

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/paralympics-prosthetics-cost-9.7107655