At some point, whether you were born as an amputee or are an amputee because of a traumatic event, you may have found yourself feeling alone. Even in a crowded room full of people who are giving their love and support to you, praying for you, helping you… I know because I’ve been in a situation where people were overflowing out of waiting rooms to show their support to me. It was all good and well, and they all were a crucial part of helping me to find happiness again. But the ache in my heart was still there. It was all new to me, to my family, to my friends. We had never been in or around a situation like this before.

It wasn’t until I spoke to another amputee who came to visit me in the hospital that I could fully grasp that I really wasn’t alone. I had never met an amputee before, not that I could remember anyway. It was like this rare species that I had never actually considered possible, kind of like a unicorn or a mermaid. While, now that I am an amputee myself, I know that’s an absolutely ridiculous preconceived notion that the only people who are disabled were those in wheelchairs. Crazy right?

Whether you are awaiting amputation, have an amputation, or are a loved one to someone who has gone through limb loss, speaking with a peer mentor can play a very important role in your recovery and emotional development.

In the end, no one really knows what you’re going through unless they themselves have gone through the same thing or at least something very similar. Some people are better suited to answer the questions you have than those who know nothing about being an amputee, and that’s perfectly okay. It would have been wrong of me to expect my Mom to know answers to all of my questions and besides, she had questions of her own.

Reach out to someone, even if that someone is me. I will be more than happy to answer any and all questions. You can leave a comment down below or private message me via email.

You don’t have to go through this alone, there are a plethora of amputees out there that would love to raise you up and give you a listening ear. Because we do know what it feels like to lose a limb and we would not want anyone to feel as if they are on that battlefield alone. We are your soldiers, here to fight for you.

 Just tell us when.

 

Email me @ mmcdonald@gulfcoastprosthetics.com

Find Peer Mentoring here:

https://www.amputee-coalition.org/support-groups-peer-support/support-group-network/

https://www.amputee-coalition.org/support-groups-peer-support/how-to-find-support/

https://gulfcoastprosthetics.com

Call us at (281)292-2255 if you or someone you know is struggling with the loss of a limb or is about to have an amputation surgery, we can send a peer mentor who is also an amputee to talk with the patient and help lift their spirits.