Stephanie Tomasetta and I set out to answer: how can we improve the lives of those who have to use crutches long-term? We spent time using crutches ourselves, and spoke with crutch users at various stages, from those who had just started using crutches to individuals who have been walking for decades.

The moments that stuck out to us and resonated throughout the interviews: It's the small things that build up over time. And it's not only quality of style, usability, and comfort that contribute to those small moments of undermining our sense of independence. It's a fourth: quality of social interactions. Competitive analysis showed that current products touch on the first three but leave a lot to miss on that last crucial one, psychological empowerment.

4Arms makes it easier to live: say hello, open a door, and transport your belonging. See below for more details on how we considered the full ecosystem of how crutch users access, purchase, and learn how to walk with crutches.