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Hello
Jun 2, 2013 23:45:59 GMT -7
Post by dubrewski on Jun 2, 2013 23:45:59 GMT -7
I've never been to good at these introductions. My dad is a double below the knee amputee due to diabetes and other health problems that go along with it. I'm here hoping to find some advice and resources to make myself more useful to him in dealing with it and regaining his old life style back. I hope that along with receiving info I am able to contribute something useful as well.
Dubrewski
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Hello
Jun 3, 2013 1:39:32 GMT -7
Post by allenuk on Jun 3, 2013 1:39:32 GMT -7
Tell us more about your dad, Dubrewski. How old, what's his health like otherwise, how does HE feel about his legs - it'll all help us give what advice we can.
But without knowing anything at all, I'd say keeping his spirits up, and encouraging him to see a future - if you can help with those things, you will be really helping!
Allen.
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Hello
Jun 3, 2013 17:23:39 GMT -7
Post by dubrewski on Jun 3, 2013 17:23:39 GMT -7
He turns 58 later this year. He lost his first leg back in 2006 and his second about a year ago. He went through a minor depression after the first surgery but pulled himself out of it relatively fast. As much as it hurt to lose his legs in the long run it made his quality of life a lot better. Along with diabetes he suffers from neuropathy in the legs and had been fighting with MRSA staff infections in his feet for the last 10 years or so. He had countless surgeries on his feet and was in out of rest homes and rehab facilities. Now his diabetes is under control and as far as I know his overall health is good. That being said, he wont go to his doctors anymore. He wont even go in to get the final fitting done for his prosthetics. I think a lot of it is with his new mobility problems (covered in my post in the sports and entertainment section). Anyway I feel like I am just rambling at this point, if you have anymore questions or anything just ask.
- dubrewski
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Hello
Jun 4, 2013 0:51:50 GMT -7
Post by cherylm on Jun 4, 2013 0:51:50 GMT -7
Well, long-lasting foot problems with multiple surgeries and MRSA infections are practically my specialty, so I can identify there. I also know that losing my leg and all the MRSA-affected tissue and bone did truly improve the quality of my life. Unfortunately, I'm not a bilateral amputee, and I know that being able to talk with (and especially to SEE) someone dealing with an amputation similar to your own can be a tremendous reassurance and a source of encouragement to "try to do that too." Where is your dad located? If he's in the U.S., you can contact the Amputee Coalition and see if they can set up a Peer Visit with someone who is successfully dealing with a situation similar to your dad's. You can also see about support groups who might have a member he could talk with.
If he won't go back to see about finalizing his prosthetic fittings, it may be that, somewhere deep down, he's thinking that he "can't possibly walk" on two prosthetic legs...seeing someone DOING just that could get him out of his "funk."
Aside from that, he has to be the one to decide to get back into living life...but you can be there to listen, to support, and to encourage!
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Hello
Jun 4, 2013 2:19:03 GMT -7
Post by allenuk on Jun 4, 2013 2:19:03 GMT -7
Completely agree with Cherylm. I'm also a fortunate single leg amputee, and like most amps can only imagine how much harder it is for someone to lose both legs.
But her Peer Visit suggestion is spot-on. I know that when I first had my leg off, seeing other people at the limb-fitting centre walking around, and doing it EASILY, made me see my future, and it will really help your dad, too. His reaction, at the moment, is quite understandable - "How the heck am I going to cope with this?" But seeing someone else doing just that, i.e. coping with the problem, will make an enormous difference.
I know it must be really frustrating for you at present - you want to help, but find it hard. But you can certainly try and organise this Peer visit - in the UK it can be in your home, or at a local orthopaedic hospital, and I imagine it's a similar situation if you're in north America.
Allen.
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Hello
Jun 5, 2013 13:20:41 GMT -7
Post by dubrewski on Jun 5, 2013 13:20:41 GMT -7
Thank you both for the replies. The Peer visit is a great idea. My dad lives in the Seattle area so I'm sure there is plenty of resources if one were to look. The next step is to get him to agree to something like that. He is a Stubborn old man, lol. I will just keep at it and take it one day at a time.
-dubrewski
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Hello
Jun 6, 2013 5:24:54 GMT -7
Post by allenuk on Jun 6, 2013 5:24:54 GMT -7
Well, speaking as another Stubborn Old Man (ho ho), it's HOPE that keeps me going. My really really low moments come when there is no hope, no light at the end of the tunnel.
But show me a way out, and I'm lifted several points already! In some ways it doesn't actually matter what the outcome is - it's having the hope, having something to look forward to, that's what counts.
Good luck in finding the peer support.
Allen.
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