Testimonials
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Dawn
In October of 2004, Dawn was hiking at Crowder’s Mt. and had a serious fall. She sustained numerous injuries, the worst of which resulted in the loss of her left leg. In the hospital for over four months, she underwent multiple surgeries on her right leg, back, and pelvis. She was finally released but has been in and out of the hospital since then with several maintenance surgeries. Since April 2006, she has been working with a health care consulting firm.
“I had phenomenal support from my friends, who stepped up and have become like family to me. (My family lives up north, too far away.) My friends drove me to appointments, checked up on me, and helped me with medications—I just couldn’t have done it without them. I am absolutely a much stronger person now and have learned that I can withstand anything. There’s nothing I can’t accomplish. I’m very active and go out at least once a week with friends—I went to see Blue Man Group last night and loved it!”
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Glen
In 1986, Glen was working when his bulldozer turned over on him and injured both his legs. One leg was amputated at the time of the accident. The doctors took muscle from his shoulder to try to save the other leg, but he was in constant pain, so the decision was made to amputate it as well.
“After my operation, I went over to Duke University for six weeks of therapy. There was a 72 year old woman there at the same time, and she was getting prosthesis, and I said, ‘If she can do it, I can too.’ So, I finished up the therapy in two days and came on home. Before I lost my legs I operated a bulldozer, and I got right back up on one in within six months. Until recently I also managed a zoo I’d had for about six years with buffalo, bear, deer, bison, and wolves—I’ve just always loved zoos. Believe me, it’s all in your mind—I was up on the roof in the rain the other day!”
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Lawrence
If his name sounds familiar, it’s because Mr. Massey was a basketball player for the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. The Forty-Niners went all the way to the Final Four tournament in 1977, where they lost to Marquette in the elimination game. After college he was affiliated with various teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers, the San Diego Clippers, several CBA teams, and international teams from Venezuela, Switzerland, and Belgium. Diabetes runs in the families of both his mother and father, and he himself was diagnosed with the disease in 1998. In 1999 he had an injury to his foot that wouldn’t heal and caused him great pain. So he made the difficult decision to amputate.
“Since my amputation, I have changed in many ways. Of course the most obvious and biggest change is in my mobility, but I still get around. It was actually easy for me to adapt; I just put the leg on and started walking! But, more important were the spiritual and mental changes that I made—all my attitudes, values, and beliefs and what I find most important. I stopped drinking alcohol so that my diabetes medicine could work. When you’re young, you can do anything and think it won’t catch up with you. Diabetes is a disease that you can’t beat, but you can live with it and manage it. Life is truly much better for me now.
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Mariano
Mariano came to the United States in 1978. He suffered with diabetes for over twenty years before losing his leg below the knee. Most of the funding for his first leg came from Independent Living/Caring. His second leg was provided for by Medicaid.
“I wasn’t scared when I lost my leg, because I saw how bad it was before. I didn’t have a choice. But, I learned that I have to accept what happened and keep going. I am doing so much better these days. I’m walking around independently and can do most things by myself. I do painting and sanding and am looking forward to going back to work.”
En Español
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Donnie
Donnie underwent about four years of casts, boots, and braces, and, finally, arthroscopic surgery, for a condition called Charcot in his ankle. When none of these solved his problems, his doctors recommended that his foot be amputated.
“I thought and worried about it for about ten minutes, but then said, ‘Let’s do it. I’m ready.’ I couldn’t have done it without my wife, who gave me moral support, took good care of me, and took me back and forth to the doctors’ offices for appointments. At first, I was afraid of people’s reactions when I went out, but my wife teased me that people had always stared at me because I am so tall. She’s right! And people are curious, especially children. If I see a child looking at my foot, I try to start a conversation with him and explain it. You know, it’s a blessing to have a prosthesis if you lose a limb. I call on my inner strength, have enthusiasm for my physical therapy, and see progress as I go on. It’s invigorating. I’m looking forward to playing golf and getting even more mobile in the future. I want to be independent.”
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Theresa
Three years ago, Theresa had to go to the hospital with a very rare condition that caused severe blood clots to form very suddenly in her leg. For a few weeks her doctors worked to break up the clots and prevent others from forming with medication, but gangrene did eventually set in. The doctors told her that even if they were able to save her leg, she would need lots of physical therapy, intensive skin grafts and several operations. After much discussion with her doctors and her husband, she decided to have her leg amputated.
“The first year was the worst, but I had so much help from my husband, Ed, my family, and my friends, that it was a much more positive experience than I thought. My family and friends made jokes about all the ‘new challenges’ and that helped me get used to the leg faster than I would have on my own. I still do all the things I used to do—cooking, sewing, ironing, and socializing of course—just a bit slower. People are always willing to help you and I see so much kindness in other people. My personality hasn’t changed, but I have become more aware of the problems of other people.”
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Fedesco
Fedesco lost his legs in 2003 when he was living in Liberia. He was on his way to the U.S. Embassy to get a visa to come to America when a roadside bomb exploded. He woke up in an ambulance on his way to the hospital. He lost one leg due to the explosion and the other shortly afterwards to gangrene. When he got out of the hospital two months later, he got his first legs. Ten months later he left Liberia and came to join his father in America. Once here, he began vocational rehabilitation and finally received two new legs. He now works fulltime delivering paychecks to company employees. He and his wife stay busy with their four children.
“Look what happened to me. I lost both legs and I can still walk. I am comfortable now and I can look forward to the future. Keep your courage and your hope. Say to yourself, ‘I believe I can do it.’”
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Cathleen
Cathleen was born and raised in Michigan but also lived in Wisconsin before she finally got tired of the cold weather and moved south to Charlotte. Unfortunately, soon after moving here, she was diagnosed with a very rare form of pelvic cancer, which was destroying her pelvic bones. She underwent four surgeries over a period of five years and had chemotherapy to shrink the tumor, but eventually surgery was necessary. When she first came home with her new prosthesis, her mother helped her for a few weeks, but she’s been on her own since then (except for her seven kitties!). Before her move to Charlotte and subsequent health problems, Cathleen worked for over twenty years as a computer analyst, and most recently as an interior designer. She is doing so well she is considering working part-time in the near future. She also hopes to become an advocate for the disabled.
“I’m very independent. The only accommodation I have made is to put in a stair chair and some grab bars. I do most of the things I used to do—I sew and knit and I’m hoping soon to get back into painting and drawing and refinishing furniture. So, other than not working, I’m not missing anything I did before, except for gardening, and I hope to start that back up this summer!”
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Jermel
In 2003, Jermel was working for a railroad company when was invlolved in an accident. His leg was amputated below the knee. With the help of his doctors, prosthetist, and physical therapists, he dedicated himself to his rehabilitation effort, excersising his leg and receiving insights that helped his adjustment. Now he plays basketball, flag football, and other sports with his four year old son. Currently a patient advocate for amputees in his community, he is also pursuiing a degree in Human Resources, with the goal of returning to the work force.
"I want to continue to learn all that I can about amputations and prosthetic treatments so I can help others. I enjoy working with other amputees and helping them overcome whatever issues they might have."
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Victor
Victor was working behind a dump truck. The driver didn’t see him and backed up, crushing his leg. He was in the hospital for six months after his amputation.
“I didn’t think I would ever walk again, but I wanted to walk so badly. Some days I don’t feel so good, but I have seen a counselor who helps me feel more comfortable with my leg. I am more confident now. I can walk with my walking leg and I can swim with my swimming leg. Things are going much better.
En Español
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Bill
Born June 20, 1908, Bill played major league baseball with Babe Ruth. During his twelve years as a major league player, he had many accomplishments, including being the first player to ever bat in a televised game (in 1936), and winning the major league base-stealing title in 1934 and 1935. He was also Duke University’s first All-American basketball player. In 2002 (at the age of 96), Bill lost his leg below the knee due to diabetes.
“Having an artificial leg has allowed me to keep some of my independence.” It helps me transfer from my wheelchair to my bed, and up until last year I was using it to walk to the dinner hall. This gave me some excercise I needed. I have slowed down a bit, but afterall, I'm a 98 year old man!"
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Brian
At the age of 19, Brian lost his leg playing a dangerous game with friends. Hopping freight cars with college pals from North Carolina State University, he misjudged a car’s speed and suffered the loss of his left leg below the knee and all the toes on his right foot. However, this accident did not stop this collegiate sprinter from competing in track and field events. His prosthetist introduced him to the Paralympics and over the past decade he has brought home gold and silver medals in the long jump, 100m, and 200m events. In addition to his athletic accomplishments, Brian is a Regional Clinical Prosthetist for the Ossur, a company that makes orthopaedic products.
“I have seen the sprinting feet progress tremendously over the years, and now they feel very natural to run on.”
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Howard
Howard lost his leg in a motorcycle accident three years ago. While his initial recovery period was difficult and painful, he credits his prosthetist and current "good leg" with helping him to stay active, including riding his motorcycle.
"If I see someone who has lost a leg in an accident, I go up to them, tell them they're not the only ones out there like this, and show them my prosthesis. I tell them it's not as bad as it seems. You have to try to keep your sense of humor, try not to let it slow you down, set your goals a bit lower, and work up from there."
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Sue
Sue is 81 years old. She lost her leg five years ago to vascular disease. For the past 48 years, she and her daughter have run a business distributing thermometers, pressure gauges, and safety relief valves.
“When the doctors first told me that I was going to lose my leg, I resisted the idea. But my ankle and heel just gave me more and more trouble and I was not looking forward to being in and out of the hospital, so I made the decision to amputate. It hasn’t been as difficult as I feared. I’m still able to work part-time. The thing I was dreading most was not being able to drive myself places; I didn’t want to depend on my kids to take me everywhere. But a friend found out about a left foot accelerator for my car and I can still drive. I have one in three different cars now. I still drive to Raleigh for the NC State basketball games and I go to the Hurricane games as well. I’m doing fine.”
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