By: Shannon Hegy

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (abc40) -- Twenty-one years ago, when he was just 16, Brian Miller's life changed forever.

"I was walking home from high school, Putnam, down the railroad tracks, and I got sucked under the train," said Miller.

Brian lost his right leg in the accident.  It was replaced by a 35-pound wooden prosthesis.  Six months ago, Brian experienced another life-changing event, the replacement of that wooden leg with the newest technology on the market.  It's called the C-Leg, an eight pound, computer-controlled prosthesis.  The C-Leg has sensors in the ankle and foot that can react to the individual.  Using Bluetooth technology, the user can program the C-Leg to his or her own needs.

With older prostheses, the user had to actually control the bending and locking of the knee, but the C-Leg provides the resistance for the user, making it easier to do everyday things like walking down the stairs.

"This knee provides confidence in walking so that they don't have to think about walking so much," said Mark Edwards, a representative of Otto Bock Health Care, the makers of the C-Leg.

With that confidence and a sense of humor, Brian is overcoming obstacles.

"They're going mountain climbing, I'm going mountain climbing," he said.  "I don't let my amputation stop me."

With his life now changed for the better, Brian is changing other lives, as a prosthetic technician.