Karl is a Prosthetic Technician who has been creating artificial limbs since the early 90s for a countless number of amputees of all ages and backgrounds. He’s built life long friendships with many of his clients often providing new limbs as people grow up, get older and require updates and improvements as time rolls on.

Not the most obvious career path to take right? Karl had a keen interest in special effects and had hopes of working in that field. After a ‘stroke of luck by great misfortune’, where his neighbour was involved in a motorcycle accident which required him to receive prosthetic work, curiosity found Karl getting a tour around a local business in Brisbane, specialising in artificial limbs. Karl’s curiosity landed him an apprenticeship.

As he puts it, once he started his apprenticeship, there was no looking back. He had found what he wanted to do.

So how on earth did I come across Karl? Well, when you see James Straker (see episode 82) ‘liking’ a Facebook page called ‘I Make Prosthetics‘, you would be crazy to ignore it! After having a snoop around, there was no way that I could pass up an opportunity to get him on for a chat.

When Karl isn’t immersed in the busy world of artificial limb creation, he is playing in multiple bands, writing and performing his own solo work and also creates art which is inspired by the weird and absurd. It’s amazing how Karl is able to juggle all parts of his life and he sheds a bit of light on how he structures his weeks in our chat. Perfect for you time management freaks out there!

Many of us are always searching for purpose in life and specifically finding a job that brings fulfilment. Karl has landed that and has directly impacted a large number of lives of the years. Many of these often overlooked (or simply unaware) jobs don’t come with a lot of public praise, however Karl gets instant and in-your-face feedback from the people he is helping. Inspiring and heart warming to put it lightly!

There’s lots of cool stories in this and many silly questions surrounding prosthetic limbs (I’m always going in to bat for you all!) which uncovers some really cool insights into how it all works. His multi-world existence shows that you can dip into a number of interests and never be pigeon-holed in one interest, job, etc.

Do you want you love and respect the time which you have for each one. Karl has certainly has injected some extra inspiration in what I do.

Support Karl by checking out his Facebook pages for his Prosthetic work, music and arts. Lots to have a squiz at!

Show notes

Follow Karl on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube |
Follow Karl’s Prosthetic work on Facebook – I Make Prosthetics
Follow Karl’s Art on Facebook – Karl Huttenmeister Art
Check out Karlashnick on Facebook
Check out Tumble Turn on Facebook
Check out John Doe and the Shallow Graves on Facebook

Article – Amputees with decorated prosthetic limbs strut their stuff (The Age)
Interview – Limbs 4 Kids