Hello-new arm amputee

[leigh1216]

Hello friends
 
I lost both of my arms above the elbow in 2012 after a campfire accident. I also received burns to both of my legs, and there is a chance I could lose my right foot and my left leg due to recurring infection in the coming months. I just recently was able to start using my prosthetics-body powered hooks. They are wonderful!! I really don't know how to do much with them yet (I can type on my iPad with a stylus though! ) but it is so nice not to be so helpless and dependent. Are there any other bilateral arm amps here? I would love any pointers,tips, or just general information on everyday life. I still struggle with some depression/emotions about the amputations,especially with the knowledge that I may lose my legs soon also. I can't use them to help out my arms anyway, so at leat Im not worried about that part of it. And thankfully, phantom pain has not been too bad- I was very worried about that since my amputations resulted from burns. 

So, that's me! I look forward to being a part of this forum. 

[allenuk]

Blimey Leigh, that is some introduction.

Makes many of our 'disabilities' seem small problems in comparison.

We do have a few other arm amps on the board, who will be able to share some of your efforts, but I don't think anyone here has had to cope with ALL those problems.

I hope the medics manage to get the infections under control.

Best wishes,

Allen, bka.

[stonecutter]

Welcome to the forum, very nice to 'meet' you. Thanks for joining and thanks for sharing!

[ann-]

Hi Leigh, sorry I am not an arm amp either, so can't really offer any tips, but nice to meet you and welcome to the forum.

You sound like you have had a lot to contend with other the last year since your accident, but pleased you are getting to grips with your prosthetics-body powered hooks and are able to reach us via your ipad.

Do hope they are able to sort out the infections in your legs for you and that your concerns about them are not realized.

[peterk]

Welcome Leigh.And welcome to the world of new beginnings. You will have, along with your bad days, the wonderful payoffs like the feeling of empowerment you must have felt sending your first ipad message. Keep on reaching out and you will find other arm amps that will have tips and recommendations. there is another discussion group here: www.dailystrength.org/c/Amputees/support-group
I remember at least one arm amp at in that group. I wish you all the best.

Peter, AKA

[cate6]

Hi Leigh, leg amp here but nice to 'meet' you and welcome

[techreaper]

Hi all I didn't intro my self. I lost my arm in a motorcycle accident in 1987. I hit 3 cars and 2nd is the car took my arm off and I hit my head on thsorry forgot to say my had got amputated 2 years after my accidente roof of the car at 150 mph impact. I was in a coma for 3 weeks. In the mean time they put my arm back on but on but I had a brachial plexuses laceration. Left hospital after 2 months went home and with in less than 24 hrs I haemorrhaged, lost 7.5 pints of blood and it was this that changed my life and not the motorcycle accident.

lost my right hand and half the fore arm 2 years after the accident

All is not gloomy, I have sprinted for GB in the worlds first international athletics 1997 in Berlin, I'm a qualified advanced scuba diver. Windsurfer, water skier, kayaker, snowboarder, bungee jumper, archery and last but not least golf.

I love life