I've had my share of horrible experiences with ill-fitting sockets and ill-fitting technicians -- Bill Shea is one of the greats. I have worked with Bill for going on 14 years, and he's the only one who's been able to fabricate a functioning, well-made Below-the-Knee prosthetic device for me. There was a period of about 2 years after Bill stopped servicing in San Francisco where I was forced to work with really inept people who left me in horrible pain for the entire 2 years, telling me there was nothing more they could do. After a 3rd failed attempt by the aforementioned inept people, I called Bill, begging for him to help. He went (and drove) out of his way to do so. After looking at my current device, he was able to locate the problem immediately, re-cast me, and fitted me with a socket that relieved me of pain, and cleared up all the breakdowns I had developed from the piece of garbage I had before. I've been a BK amputee for over 2 decades and have many people make sockets for me; I can say without a doubt that Bill Shea has been the best in his field. I've since moved to the East Coast, but Bill still calls to check in on me to see how I am doing. Ultimately, I have always gotten the feeling that Bill really loves what he does and he cares about the quality of my life. Thanks Bill! read more

In August of 2016 I had a double mastectomy. The days leading up to the surgery I was on a rollercoaster of emotions. I was glad we caught the cancer before it got into my lymphoid. I was also very sad because because I was feeling like I would be less of a woman without my breasts. My self esteem was getting low. I was blessed to have healed greatly. Only 1 complication following the surgery. Then came the emotional healing and acceptance of what was going on. After the drain bags were removed and the appointments of them manually draining the fluid were over, we started talking about referrals for breast prosthesis. Because I'm on Partnership health coverage I was having a hard time finding a place to get any prosthesis. Then in 2018 (2yrs later) I received a referral to Spectrum. I was told that this place accepted my insurance and that I would finally get my prosthesis. I'll admit I still had my guard up. After being rejected for 2yrs one starts to lose hope. At the appointment I was thrilled to hear that, yes, I would be receiving the prosthesis. She measured me and we discussed the order. By the time I lefted the office I was feeling like I hit the lottery. Then weeks went by and no phone call. Next a couple of months went by. I tried calling and left a couple of messages with the secretary. I think it was like 4 months before I reached the owner who did the ordering, I think her name was Maureen, anyway I was told by her that I had already picked up my order. I tried to assure her that no I had not. She said that she had my signature on the paperwork saying otherwise. So my insurance was billed and I was left with no prosthesis and no idea what to do now because the insurance company won't pay again for 5yrs. It's been 3yrs I've been without my breast I've been through depression and self hate. This summer was the first time I went anywhere to swim. I only went twice but at least I did it. I've missed out on alot because I get shamed to be seen by strangers. 1 was the west I would rate this place. But really I would rate it a minus 5. read more

I have been an amputee for 17 years. For the first few years I couldn't walk without a cane. I was in constant pain. My prosthetic didn't fit well and when I walked I "lurched". Then I met Bill. I have a very unusual alignment, and while other prosthetists tried to force me to walk on a leg that was "bench aligned", Bill listened to me and adjusted my leg to work for me. Bill thought outside the box, never giving up on helping me walk better. Because of Bill I have returned to all of the activities I did before, I've even added a few! Over the years, Bill has become more than just my prosthetist. He has become my friend. He doesn't just work 9 to 5 but is always available day or night if I have an issue with my leg. One day at work, my titanium foot cracked. I couldn't walk on it. My coworker used packing tape to stabilize it so I could finish out my work day. I messaged Bill and he told me to stop by his house on my way home. Bill was at home that day because he was sick, but he didn't hesitate to come to my rescue. He fixed me up so I could walk until he could order a new foot. How many people would have done that? Not any of the doctors or prosthetists I've worked with over the years. I am living a full, productive life as an amputee thanks to Bill Shea. read more

At the age of 15, I was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma. After a complicated limb salvage surgery that indicated my tumor broke off, I made the decision to have my leg amputated. The prosthetist that fit me for my very first prosthetic leg was kind and seemed to do everything as it should have been done. It wasn't until a year and a half, walking only about once a month with the prosthetic, did I come to realize that I needed more than just a replacement leg. This is when I met Bill Shea. Working with Bill allowed me not just to learn about the leg I was using, but the dynamics of relearning to walk. He used a layperson's language to helping me understand what this process was about and I was made to feel part of the building of this leg as opposed to just a customer. He talked me through what he was doing. This is what a good prosthetist does, he doesn't just build a leg, he educates the client to ensure that we know how to advocate and take care of ourselves. It goes without saying that choosing to be an amputee was not an easy decision. The journey to becoming an independent person again had its ebbs and flows. While Bill is not an amputee, his bedside manner and ability to listen and share his experiences with other amputees allowed me to explore the obstacles that got in the way of me being a two legged person again. On too many occasions, I recall Bill taking his time to ensure my leg was aligned just so. Till this day, about 20 years later, he continues to go above and beyond just building or adjusting my leg. He saw me through so many milestones from beginning to use my prosthetic leg on a daily basis, to walking across the platform on my graduation stage in college, to walking down the aisle for my wedding. Like a reliable and honest car mechanic, once you have a prosthetist that works with you, you have to hold on to them with everything you got! A prosthetist is a resource for any amputee hoping to regain independence. I cannot imagine working with another prosthetist for any future prosthetic limbs. This process is so much more than working with construction materials, it's intimate and therefore requires trust. I'm thankful Bill Shea is my prosthetist. read more

I had a bad experience with my first prosthetic leg hurt split my leg open at times just all kinds of issues would fall apart just horrible and Id thought since the place I went to the man was an amputee himself everything would be good. boy was I wrong id just took to walking on cruthches again then I came across bill shea and man I couldn't be happier with my leg! the level of care he gives is how it should be he gives you advice and listens to any issues you may be expierecing and gives helpful tips that are crucial to successfully using ones prosthetic and now I know. and its helping me a whole alot im very greatfull to bill shea its not just about giving you crappy prosthetic and send you on your way like the first place i went to did to me so if you want to avoid those horrible experiences id go to bill shea he truly cares and I believe enjoys helping people out so thank you bill read more