At the age of 15, a train accident severed Brooke Artesi’s right leg at the ankle as she was boarding a passenger train with some friends. “It was before they had doors that automatically open on the platform. It started moving and it just sucked me right under the train,” Artesi said. “It should have cut me right in half.” She became a transtibial amputee determined to lead a physically active lifestyle.
After the accident, she started running as a way to stay active. Although she may not consider herself a hard-core competitor, she certainly has 
logged many miles and a fair share of success in her running shoes. She participates in local events with the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) organization, also runs in local 5K and 10K races and is a mentor in both Camp No Limits, a camp for children with limb loss, and the Never Say Foundation Pirate Camp. Plus, she finds time to compete in the Extremity Games and is a medal winner in both kayaking and rockwall climbing.
Understanding and working through her new physical being, Brooke studied Fine Arts with a specialty in sculpting and then moved on to get her Bachelor’s Degree in Biology at Rutgers University. With an eye for design, and an understanding of science, she completed her post-graduate work at the University of Hartford for the Newington Certificate Program in Orthotics and Prosthetics (NCP). After becoming a certified orthotist, Brooke worked fitting patients with braces while continuing her education and becoming a certified prosthetist as well.
Brooke Artesi and Chris Vergano, Mayor of Wayne, at the Grand Opening of Sunshine Prosthetics and Orthotics
In the Spring of 2013, Brooke opened Sunshine Prosthetics and Orthotics in Wayne NJ.
“Helping my patients regain mobility with prosthetics and orthotics is what I was meant to do. My whole life experience led up to this moment of opening my own practice.” Brooke Artesi, CP, LPO
In addition to using the latest technology for P & O services, Brooke has taken her practice a step further. She not only encourages her patients and clients to lead a more active lifestyle, she formed a Sunshine Team this year to compete in the Lincoln Park NJ Triathlon. Always encouraging, she also matched donations from supporters of the Sunshine Triathlon team to the Camp No Limits Prosthetic Education (No 
Limits Limbs Loss Foundation).
Brooke’s compassion and personal understanding of her patient’s needs, is evidenced by the care and encouragement they receive from her. The high-tech scanning equipment makes fitting prosthetics and orthotics faster and more accurate and requires less fitting adjustments, allowing the patients to begin increasing their activity levels sooner.
Beyond her office practice and sports competitions, Brooke also finds time as a Certified Peer Visitor for the Amputee Coalition of America. It allows her to visit amputees in the hospital, serving as a peer mentor and helping amputees overcome the many physical challenges associated with limb loss.
“I carefully take into consideration my patient’s individual needs in an effort to maximize their potential for function and activity. The end goal is to help my patients feel whole again, encouraging them to reach their potential to stay active!”
Brooke Artesi, prosthetist, orthotist and inspiration
Join Brooke on Facebook: Http://facebook.com/SunshinePandO
Visit Sunshine Prosthetics and Orthotics website: Sunshinepando.com