July of 2012 is when I lost my limb.
Other than learning how to walk again and live again, one thing that I’ve learned is that life isn’t over.
Not only can we do just about anything that everyone else can do, but when we do it, we tend to motivate the masses, so I’ve learned that there is a true benefit to us going out there and giving it our all, and showing everyone that we can still do everything that we used to.
I love Brian. He’s great. I’ve had a few prosthetists over the years, and probably more than any, he’s definitely a friend who I talk to outside of prosthetics and fixing my leg and stuff like that.
He’s definitely someone I can go to with all of the “would seem to be” stupid questions. We have a good time together and really work well together.
I’ve climbed glaciers since my amputation. I’ve played hockey. I’ve played other kinds of sports. I’ve run five mile races, frequently beating people with two legs. But I think what I’m most proud of is that I didn’t give up because there was a time when I almost did.
I think every amputee goes through that, especially if it’s because of a traumatic reason that they lost their limb. Fighting through the rehab and the occupational and physical therapy, and learning that life isn’t over is probably what I’m most proud of.
Learning to walk again on a prosthetic is not easy. It’s painful at times. It takes a lot of work, and it takes a lot of energy. You usually have to maintain your weight otherwise your volume will fluctuate, making it more difficult to stand.
But with that said—don’t get me wrong, sometimes I’ll wake up and I’ll be like, “man I really don’t feel like putting my prosthetic on,” right up until I have a problem and I have to be in a wheelchair for a couple weeks.
Then you realize how terrible it is to be in a wheelchair, and that makes you really appreciate the little things. I was in a wheelchair for a couple weeks not too long ago, and it changed the way I lived. Everything was more difficult.
So realizing the benefits that the prosthesis actually provides us, and how it allows us to live somewhat normal lives is worth the work and effort.
