can i reach my goals in life after my amputation?

[wolfdvn]

HI, I am a 16 year old transtibial amputee from South Africa.

I was born with a tumour in my spinal cord that has cost me about a life worth's of trouble.. I had several operations but last year I decided to amputate my right foot..

 It has been hard adjusting to my new life, but now I seek to reach my goals in life after I made this huge transition. Believe it or not, I want to become a Mixed Martial Arts champ.. I had two fights before my amputation (the last one a month before I had my amputation) but now it seems that much harder.. What can I do to motivate myself to continue? Because everyone who is supposed to back me in my dreams, seem to be the people who drag me down the most.

 Feel free to share your stories with me. it will be much appreciated.

[cherylm]

Well, here we are again! As I said in my reply to your intro, I'm going to be interested in how you do with the Mixed Martial Arts training...but I can tell you that WANTING to accomplish a goal can be a very strong motivation. Part of what you'll be able to accomplish will depend on things beyond your control...the length of your residual limb (longer is generally considered better), the type of prosthesis you're fitted for, whether your tumor has influenced any other muscles........but a MAJOR part of what you'll be able to do will be based on your own desire and how hard you're willing to work at your goals. It probably will be harder to reach that point for you, but that will also make it much more rewarding when you DO reach a goal.

One thing I would suggest (and I know a teen probably won't want to hear this) is that you break your MAJOR goals down into MINOR steps...simply because reaching each of those minor goals will help keep your motivation up to take the next step toward the ultimate goal.

The people around you who seem to be holding you back may simply not know what life with a prosthesis is like. They may even think they're "doing you a favor" by encouraging you to "be reasonable" about your capabilities. Remember: THEY are not the person who's dealing with the amputation. YOU are the one who truly knows what you are capable of achieving. As long as you can be honest with yourself about your own capabilities and can pace yourself accordingly, you (and those around you) may be amazed at how far you can go.

Okay...middle-aged klutzy lady is getting off her soapbox now................

[allenuk]

At your age, Wolf, you can do pretty much what you want. You have youth and fitness (well, it's all relative) firmly on your side.

So echoing what Cherylm said, just do it!

In fifty years you'll have other fights on your hands - just moving around, not getting (too) fat, generally surviving, so now, while you've got some spare energy, use it just as you wish.

Let us know your progress ... and good luck.



A.

[wolfdvn]

thank you very much, I am working as hard as possible.

I won't be held back by others, they may slow me down, but they will never stop me completely.

I appreciate talking to you. it seems I have my first post amputation fight lined up for March. I will keep you informed.