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Dealing with the Trauma of an Amputation

© Michael VanRanden

In May of 1977, I was confronted with a stark problem that changed my whole life. I lost the lower part of my left leg to a gunshot wound. It was, of course, an accident. During the next several weeks, I was subjected to 19 operations in an effort to save my leg. The point blank bullet shattered every bone in my foot and lower leg. As a result, on May 27, 1977 my leg was amputated. Wonderful doctors and nurses cared for me, I do not believe anyone could have any better medical care than I received during my stay in the hospital.

There was on thing missing. How would I live with out my leg? This question and many others haunted me day and night. I did not know what to expect. What would happen next? Would I ever walk again? How would I get around? Will I be able to hold a job? The list was endless and the answers were pat. Right out of the textbook. I was not complaining, or maybe I was...

Several weeks after my dealings with the gun, I found myself at Brook Army Medical Center, San Antoino, Texas. I was poked, stuck, mulled over, and generally pushed aside for several months. I could not use the leg that was made for me and my doctor was no help at all. Then I met Mary (not her real name).

Webster defines Motivation as: "to incite; to give purpose or direction." I did not even know, but I needed motivation. One day while in the clinic an older woman walked past as I sat looking at my wooden leg. She stopped, turned and asked why I was just sitting there looking so pathetic. She began to speak very frank and almost forceful at me. I became offensive and defensive real quick. She was telling my I could and should get up an use this new device to walk, dance, go hunting and fishing, work, play, on and on and on.... I took acceptation and told her to get out...Then this most wonderful woman, pulled up her pant legs, yes both of them, and showed me her legs. She had lost both her legs, as well as her husband, in an accident. She dealt with what I could do, not what I could not. She saw the ability, not the disability.

During the next few years, I became involved in several studies sponsored by the Veterans Administration. These and other studies have proven amputees, who are given peer counseling live a more productive life, have fewer related medical problems, and are productive citizens. If you or someone you love is in the process of loosing a limb. Do not walk, run to the nearest peer consoler and get the information and assistance you need. If you can not find one, you may contact: Amputees On Call of Pensacola , the online address is http://www.amputeeoncall.org . E-mail pegglegg@amputeeoncall.org

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