Looking for others like me, working with an amputation

[2mdcs]

Hello All

I have tried on other sites and have had no success. Kind of a long story.

On August 5th 2001 my wife and I were involved in an accident while responding to a call(in a chase vehicle not ambulance). Well I was very seriously hurt, multiple injuries. To try and shorten the story some, I eventually had to have my right foot amputated. So I now have a below knee amputation on the right side.

I finally got to return to work in Nov. of 2003. I am looking for anyone that is, or knows anyone in my situation of working with a prostetic. you know your basic type of question, how hard was the decision to go through with the amputation, how has your work been affected. I would really love to chat with others, are you out there. Let me hear from you.

[Ridryder 911]

Sorry, can't help you personally. However; several years ago JEMS ( I believe) did a feature article on amputee. You might do a literature search or e-mail them and see. This might get you some further information.

Good luck!

R/r 911

[BushyFromOz]

The name Douglas Bader comes to mind, but he passed awayu a long time ago

[FireMedic65]

I have worked with an emt that only had 1 arm. And there is a dr near me somewhere that only has 1 hand

[paramedicmike]

I used to work with a guy who has a BTK amputation. He's been that way since he was five years old. Prosthetic leg and all, you'd never know it. He does walk with a bit of a limp. But I worked with him for more than six months before I knew that's why he limped.

It's not a big deal for him. He can do everything anyone else can do. It doesn't slow him down a bit. Up stairs or down. Overweight patient in the stair chair or not.

Granted, he's had longer to adjust than you to the idea of a prosthetic. But there is nothing slowing this guy down.

If I see him or talk with him I'll see if I can point him in your direction.

Something else to consider, I recently ran the Army 10 Miler in DC. There were more than several soldiers running with prosthetics...legs and arms. Some of these guys were only injured in the previous year and there they were running a 10 mile race at a sub 9 minute mile pace.

Just food for thought.

-be safe

[Dustdevil]

I have tried on other sites and have had no success.

There are no questions which have never been asked at EMT City before.

Viola... http://www.emtcity.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.ph...ghlight=amputee

[Spock]

We have a paramedic who has a below elbow amputation from birth. He has a BS in Occupational Therapy and is in a second degree nursing program and wants to be a CRNA. I was on a code with him once and I turned my back to get a medication while he was intubating. I swear I turned away no longer than 10 seconds and he had the tube in. Damn but I wanted to see how he did that! This is not a disability as far as he or anybody else in the service is concerned.

Wasn't Douglas Bader the RAF Spitfire pilot who was a double leg amputee? I believe he was shot down and was a German POW in Colditz. I think he wrote a biography that I read many years ago.

Live long and prosper.

Spock