Summer is the perfect time to embrace adventure, and being an amputee doesn’t have to slow you down! With the right tools and mindset, you can soak up the season’s best moments. Today’s innovations make it easier than ever to stay active and comfortable in the heat. Let’s make this your most empowered summer!
It’s sunny, the frozen margaritas are flowing, shorts-and-sandals season has arrived. Cities are reopening after lockdown, and travel restrictions are slowly being lifted. You’re feeling ready to gallivant in the sunshine and work on your tan at the beach. The only problem? You wear a prosthesis.
Those of us who live in warmer climates are very familiar with the struggles that come as the temperatures warm up. As a Floridian, I live within what most would consider year-round summer. My nemesis—sweat—is an issue from February to October, with a brief and sometimes non-existent respite around the holidays. So how exactly can you thrive during sweaty season? Here’s how I manage it down here in the tropics. You may find some of these strategies useful.
Let’s start with the biggest issue—liner sweat. We’ve all had those days when you can pour a glass full as you peel off your liner. Excessive sweat can cause skin irritation, bacteria growth, and, worst of all, liner slippage, causing your entire prosthesis to slide off in some cases. When I’m planning a full day out in the sun, I always bring a small towel, gentle cleanser, baby wipes, a travel-sized bottle of rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer, and extra socks. I remove my liner periodically, empty any sweat pooling inside, and wash my residual limb with the cleanser (or a baby wipe in a pinch). I dry myself off and put the liner back on with either alcohol or hand sanitizer. I always keep extra socks handy, in case I have volume changes in my limb throughout the day and need to maintain a secure fit on my socket.
These supplies are especially helpful for beach trips, which in my case happen pretty routinely. It’s critical to get all the sand and saltwater off your prosthesis and liner after a swim to avoid any internal damage to the hardware and itching inside the liner.
Of course, sweat happens in places other than your residual limb, especially in summer. That brings me to my next subject: breathable fabrics. Leg amputees use at least 30 percent more energy when walking than the average able-bodied person, and some days it feels like 200 percent more. Comfortable cotton clothing and shorts give me easy access to my prosthesis, cuts back on overheating, and makes me less irritable when the inevitable liner issue or other amputee problem arises in the middle of a trip to Disney World. Keep in mind that wearing shorts will expose your prosthesis and offer less protection than pants offer. Companies such as Alleles and UNYQ offer beautiful and protective prosthesis covers that can keep damage at bay and let you express yourself via vibrant colors and designs. They’re often covered by insurance as durable medical equipment.
Sandals and flip-flops are really what kick me into the summer vibe. As my first amputee summer approached, I dreaded the thought of having to wear sneakers and boots in the middle of July. I worried my five remaining toes would never see the sun again. After much trial and error, I have learned that I can indeed wear sandals with some minor modifications. Here’s the trick: the sturdier the straps, the better. No one wants a shoe flying off mid-step (and trust me, it can happen), so I go for shoes that wrap well around my foot shell. If you prefer to wear slides or flip-flips, try a heavy-duty Velcro and line up a piece both on the bottom of your foot shell and on the flat part of your shoe. This will create more grip.
Finally, there’s the issue of mobility aids. We all spend more time outdoors when the weather’s fine and the sun is shining. That usually translates into more walking, more sweat, and more stress on the residual limb, and so forth. When you don’t feel like dealing with those issues on a given day, there is absolutely nothing—I repeat, NOTHING—wrong with using crutches or a wheelchair, even if you might be capable of walking. When we overexert our residual limb, blisters and bruising can form, therefore making it difficult to walk in the days that follow. And if you’re too busy and active to manage the sweat in your socket, your leg will eventually just slide right off, leaving you stranded.
There’s nothing shameful or weak about taking care of yourself. That’s the golden rule of living your best hot amputee summer. Know your limits, listen to your body’s cues, and make the adaptations you need. Bonus points if you can get a friend or family member to push you around in a wheelchair smoothly enough that you don’t spill your margarita.
Your summer, your way. Empower your independence! Discover how our cutting-edge and advanced prosthetic solutions can help you thrive. Contact us today at 888-819-4721, or follow us onInstagramfor more tips.
Amputees rely heavily on their unaffected limbs, and when these are injured, adapting mobility and daily life requires thoughtful preparation. While standard recovery methods may present obstacles, having the right strategies and equipment at home can empower you to maintain independence and navigate these challenges effectively. Read on to discover practical tips for building a supportive home system that promotes continued independence during times of injury.
We pride ourselves on our availability, clear communication, and honest answers. To make sure that you are getting this level of patient care, each patient is provided with a Care Team, which includes a Director of Patient Care, as well as an Amputee Consultant. Give us a call and learn how we can support you — so many ways, including transportation services and in-home care = all included. Let’s talk! We would love to meet with you and discuss your situation. Contact us to discover our high-quality care for yourself.
In a perfect world, amputees’ unaffected lower limbs would be exempt from all injury and inconvenience. There would be no bruises, sprains, strains, breaks, or blisters to intact legs. Those limbs already work overtime, are often ignored, and are as indispensable as any socket, joint or appendage on a prosthesis.
For all amputees, injuries to an unaffected lower limb come with a list of complications that might be hard for a general practitioner or even an orthopedist to understand. Mobility and transfers will be different. Rehab exercises will need adjustment. Upper-limb amputees who break a leg or sprain a knee might have difficulty using crutches, canes, walkers and wheelchairs. Lower-limb amputees may be completely non-ambulatory until their intact leg heals.
I’m a 51-year-old left-below-elbow congenital amputee, and I’ve dealt with many leg injuries throughout my life. Most recently, I had tendinitis in my ankle—its exact cause is still under investigation by a podiatrist and orthopedic surgeon.
It’s difficult for me to manage two crutches with one hand. Using one crutch on the right is fine for a very short distance, but isn’t going to get me across a parking lot. A walker won’t work without a special attachment—I would have to lean down to my right in order to use my nub on the left handgrip, and that would create imbalance and instability. A self-propelled wheelchair is impossible. I looked up knee crutches online, but don’t think I have the upper body strength to stay upright on what seems like a short stilt. I’m still healing and not ready to try a cane.
The solution I settled on is a knee scooter with a telescoping handle that brings the handgrips up to waist level. It keeps me mobile, but it’s bulky for use around the house and cumbersome for trips away from home. So far, I can’t run errands, or get to work or doctor’s appointments by myself—I need help with driving and moving the knee scooter in and out of the car.
In addition to wearing a heavy boot on my right ankle, I’ve braced my left knee and left ankle trying to protect those joints from strain. They are doing all the heavy lifting. My right wrist, already sensitive from years of overuse, needs a brace for protection, too, as it bears my weight moving from bed to scooter, toilet to crutches, scooter to car, and so on. I feel a little like Darth Vader covered in my black protective gear.
My family has placed barstools near the bathroom sink and kitchen counter, so I can sit while I brush my teeth or butter my toast. And, like a queen in her castle, I move around my home with a bag of essentials such as lotion, phone chargers, heating pads and a bottle of water. (Also, a book and reading glasses, a bottle of ibuprofen, and some snacks.) This saves me trips and makes life easier for my family members, who, try as they might, can’t possibly remember everything I need.
A lesson I learned after having two children by C-section is to keep medication and water in places where you sit down often—keeping them safe from small children and pets, obviously. If you’re taking more than one medication for pain, or forget your doses and schedule; keep a notebook with your medicine and write down when you’ve taken it. It might also be a good idea, if you’re having trouble getting around, to write down how much water you’ve had and how often you’ve eliminated. You can’t afford to restrict drinking and urinating, even though getting to the bathroom is a journey you can’t manage alone.
I am discouraged by how difficult it is to accomplish any task and how small my world will be until I’m mobile again. However, I’m able to bear weight on my injured ankle now, and that is a huge relief.
Educating Your Team
Tim Sullivan, a Los Angeles-based physical therapist, says being prepared for an injury to the unaffected lower limb requires maintaining the health of all unaffected limbs. “It’s important to stabilize your load,” he says. “We like to say ‘motion is lotion,’ so you should move, but not overdo things. You want to avoid overstressing the uninvolved side before it becomes the involved side.”
That includes ensuring the fit of the prosthesis, caring for the skin, and keeping up with occupational therapy or gait training. All amputees need to strengthen their core and back. Your prosthetist and physical therapist can help you address your residual limb’s safety while using boots, crutches, and other mobility devices to support the injured limb. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution; it depends on the location of your amputation, what type of leg injury you have, your overall fitness, and your comfort preferences. Upper-limb amputees need to adapt their activities and gather tools to prevent overuse of wrists, elbows, and shoulders. An injury to the unaffected side can expose and exacerbate weaknesses in overall stamina and strength.
When you’re receiving treatment to an injury on your unaffected lower limb, be ready to advocate for your specific needs. “We would love to think that practitioners are fully aware of what you’re going through, but you’re going to need to talk to your provider about what your amputation entails for you every day,” Sullivan says. “Educate your caregivers, and educate your team.”
Setting Up Your System
For injuries and treatments to the unaffected lower limb, amputees need specific tactics and tools to get through their hardest days. Life is too short to move around in bubble wrap, but if you get hurt, you want to be prepared. If you don’t already have all the following equipment at home, think about setting up your kit, just in case.
Braces for knee, ankle, hip, wrist and shoulder
Crutches
Walker, wheelchair
Knee scooter
Toilet riser
Shower chair
Bolster pillows
Reacher tool
Bathroom rails
Recliner with lift
Hospital bed
Most of us have found being an amputee isn’t a free pass for having other health issues. There will still be stomachaches, stuffy noses, and opportunities to trip, twist an ankle, or wear out a knee joint. These injuries have nothing to do with being an amputee. Recovery, however, depends on accommodating our amputation along with the injury.
Empower your independence, even during recovery. Discover how our cutting-edge and advanced prosthetic solutions can help you thrive. Contact us today at 888-819-4721, or follow us onInstagramfor more tips.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing healthcare, and its impact on amputee care is nothing short of transformative. These innovations are not only improving mobility and functionality but also enhancing quality of life and independence. Read here how AI is paving the way for smarter, more intuitive solutions in amputee care. Questions? We are here to answer them!
Some would argue that artificial intelligence has been improving amputees’ lives since the 1960s, with the introduction of pattern recognition in myoelectric arms. At the very latest, AI-driven prosthetic technology has been around since the 1990s, when the C-Leg debuted. And almost all would agree that there’s enormous potential for future growth in this realm (viz. “The Midas Touch” in our new print edition).
But the emergence of ChatGPT and other large-language models (LLMs) has vastly broadened the potential for amputee-serving AI applications. In addition to making prosthetic limbs more lifelike than ever, AI is now driving innovation in socket design, prosthesis alignment, adaptive fitness, caregiving, and beyond.
We surveyed the literature to get a sense of where and how researchers are employing AI to enhance (and potentially transform) limb care. Not all of these applications are in clinical use yet, and some may never get there. But one way or the other, the algorithms are on the march and there’s no stopping them. Here’s how AI might impact your life before long.
Supporting caregivers: Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh developed a responsive knowledge base called CaLM (Caregiver Language Model). The prototype, aimed at caregivers of patients with Alzheimers and related forms of dementia, allows users to get accurate, real-time information to answer their questions and ease their anxieties. “The intricate care requirements associated with [cognitive and behavioral diseases] present a complex challenge that caregivers must navigate, often without formal training,” the authors write. “Given the progressive nature of these conditions, caregivers are in need of long-term support and strategies, underlining the importance of a dedicated resource like the CaLM….The model can provide substantial support to a vast community of caregivers who are frequently underserved when it comes to specialized care resources.” The researchers hope to expand on this pilot project to develop parallel tools for other conditions requiring ongoing care, including limb loss. Read the full paper at JMIR Formative Research.
Streamlining socket fabrication: Members of an international collective called the Residual Limb Shape Capture Group introduced a novel approach using AI to develop digital socket templates based on a prosthetist’s previous work in traditional (plaster-based) fabrication. Using 3D scans, the AI essentially learns a given prosthetist’s methods for manual fabrication, then translates that knowledge into templates for new limb models. “The AI-generated sockets closely matched those made by hand, with only small differences,” the authors conclude. “This new process has the potential to save time and make socket fitting more consistent, helping individuals with amputations receive faster and more accurate prosthetic care.” Here’s the full paper at Prosthesis.
Managing exercise: A pair of experts in diabetes management and rehabilitation found the subscription-only version of ChatGPT to be a reliable source of information about exercise for Type 2 diabetes patients. They asked ChatGPT for the best clinical recommendations about exercise types, frequency, intensity, duration, etc., along with questions related to nutrition, weight maintenance, comorbidities (such as kidney disease), and other aspects of fitness. “ChatGPT provided relatively valid, safe and useful information about exercise for type 2 diabetes,” the authors concluded, but they added a couple of caveats: Patients should only use ChatGPT in conjunction with medical guidance from a human clinician, not as a primary source of information; and the finding doesn’t apply to the free version of ChatGPT (currently v4o). Read the full paper at BMJ Health & Care Informatics.
Standardizing prosthesis alignment:After a systematic literature review, a team of biomechanics experts concluded that AI algorithms and alignment tools hold tremendous potential to enhance accuracy and reduce human error in transtibial prosthesis alignment. “Current practices for transtibial prosthesis alignment lack standardization, leading to various health complications,” the authors assert. “The absence of automated approaches for prosthesis alignment hinders the accuracy and efficiency of the alignment process.” The need is particularly acute in developing nations where the availability of clinical expertise falls far short of the demand. The full paper is paywalled, but you can read the abstract and introduction at Artificial Intelligence in Medicine.
Determining amputation level:This one scares us a little….okay, a lot. Orthopedists at the Ege University School of Medicine in Izmir, Turkey, submitted clinical photographs of diabetic foot ulcers to ChatGPT and asked it to recommend the optimal amputation level. In 50 out of 60 cases, the bot’s recommendation was identical to the amputation the human clinicians actually performed. In the remaining 10 cases, ChatGPT prescribed a more proximal (ie, higher) amputation than the flesh-n-blood docs. “Relying solely on clinical photographs,” the paper concluded, “ChatGPT-4.0 demonstrates decisions that are largely consistent with those of an experienced team in determining the optimal level of amputation for DFUs.” Personally, we’re a long way from trusting ChatGPT to dictate a surgical procedure; we don’t even trust it to write email for us. But read the abstract at the International Wound Journal and judge for yourself (full paper is paywalled).
Optimizing MPK leg controllers: Here’s where things start to get meta. Levi Hargrove and colleagues at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab are working on a process in which AI-generated gait patterns are used to improve the performance of a bionic leg’s mid-level controller—which is itself an AI-equipped unit. In other words, it’s an AI trainer for an AI device. Crazy, right? The core benefit of such a system would be to eliminate the need to gather training data from individual volunteers, which would a) make the training of prosthetic leg controllers more efficient and more effective, and b) lower R&D costs and (in theory, anyway) accelerate the pace of innovation. The system’s still in development and hasn’t been tested with actual prosthesis users yet, but it doesn’t pay to bet against Hargrove. Full study at the Journal of Neuroengineering and Rehabilitation.
Assessing limb-loss risk in PAD patients: A Mayo Clinic team trained AI to analyze Doppler waveforms in patients with peripheral artery disease and accurately assess the risk of limb loss. In a study encompassing more than 2,000 patients over a five-year period, the AI tool accurately predicted adverse outcomes including death, major cardiac events, and limb loss. “The AI tool described in this article has several unique advantages whereby both the 1‐ and 5‐year risk for [limb loss] can be estimated well before chronic limb‐threatening ischemia occurs, solely on the basis of deep neural assessment of a posterior tibial arterial waveform Doppler signal,” the authors explain. By combining AI analysis with an easy‐to‐perform, noninvasive Doppler test, clinicians can better identify at-risk patients before their symptoms become acute and intervene early enough to prevent some amputations. Read it all at the Journal of the American Heart Association.
Promoting participation in parasports: A Brazilian bioscientist is exploring AI’s potential to help people with disabilities overcome barriers to participation in physical fitness activity. “Personal and environmental obstacles linked to disability hinder access to venues and services,” he observes. Many amputees are deterred from exercise by the logistical complexities of acquiring equipment, traveling to fitness facilities, and receiving informed coaching. Once they’ve solved those problems, amputees must still overcome factors such as pain, stamina, and discomfort about exercising in public settings. “AI has now emerged as a promising tool to overcome these barriers, offering innovative and personalized solutions to meet the individual needs of those who use it,” the paper concludes. It’s paywalled at the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies.
Experience the latest in prosthetic technology with our advanced prosthetic solutions. Our expert team will work closely with you to find the best solution for your unique needs and help you get back to living life to the fullest. Contact us today at 888-819-4721. Follow us onInstagram for more tips.
Limb loss doesn’t challenge us to fix what’s broken. It offers us the chance to create ourselves—and our futures—anew. Learn more useful tips from a leadership coach and amputee.
THE PROBLEM WITH SOLVING PROBLEMS
Among the high-impact leaders I spend my days with, there is one singular epiphany that births the most spectacular businesses, innovations, outcomes, and lives. It is the awareness that in true reality, there are no such things as “problems.” There are only evolutionary invitations for us to enter the profound space where something new is created.
My clients often resist this new understanding at first, as it can come in existential conflict with their very framework of reality and even their identity. Achievement-driven leaders are conditioned to define, orient, motivate, and even create their identities around the illusion of problems. “I’m a problem-solver!”—bam, you just mandated a life of finding one problem after another, so you can keep solving them.
I offer them an entirely new way of being that’s just a thought away—one that is just as capable, even more so, of bringing forth amazing things. Here it is:
A relentlessly objective look at the universe, at nature, at reality before the human mind shrouds the fiction of meaning upon it, reveals there are actually no such things as problems. It’s never even true that “something is wrong”—not in original, naked reality.
When a limb of a redwood withers because another tree has grown near and puts it in shadow, the redwood does not stop everything it’s doing and scream: “Problem! Something wrong!” It does not try to undo or fix the situation. Instead, the redwood simply creates new limbs up higher, closer to the light, and continues to thrive. And as a bonus, the new limbs create a bridge for a hungry family of squirrels to access the redwood’s cones and carry the seeds of the next generation of redwoods all around the forest.
A client of mine put this theory into practice when the pandemic virtually stopped his healthy-meal startup. Instead of seeing this as a problem that needed to be solved, my client looked for paths toward new creation and evolution. He pivoted from a business-to-consumer model (withering limb) to a business-to-government model (new limb), because government agencies suddenly had great demand to feed people whose lives had been disrupted. The company made six times the revenue, and ten times the mission, from the previous normal year.
This metaphor is easy for my clients to understand, but it can be hard for them to integrate it fully into their mindset and alter behaviors accordingly.
I understood why when, in 2022, I opted to amputate my left leg, which had been withering for years from the long-term impact of cancer. I had spent a lot of time and effort working with supremely talented doctors to solve the problem of that leg. But the outcome of all that mental and emotional investment was that I was sequestered in a hospital bed for months with a limb that no longer functioned. Letting go of it wasn’t easy until I chose to follow the advice I’d been giving for years. Only when I chose to let go of that leg, and let go of my determination to solve that problem, could I fully reengage with my life.
Within a week of my amputation, I was back doing my life’s calling, and actually doing it much better and more clearly than I had in years.
When you look out and interrogate the true, natural world, you see that there are no problems in the universe—just moments in which evolution asks for new creation. In fact, the only thing ever taking place in the universe is creation in service to evolution.
We make up everything else.
The Beauty of Perpetual Innovation
Problems are a very recent, illusory construct of the human mind. The mind becomes attached to an outcome, a preference for the way things should be. When reality goes a different way, one that does not exactly match our preference, our mind projects the made-up construct of problem onto that occurrence. The problem then feels like a real thing to us. As a result of buying into all of this, we end up having a negative experience. And because the universe so often goes a different way from our preference for how things should be with respect to jobs, money, relationships, health, family, etc., we delude ourselves into seeing problems everywhere. And that prevents us from seeing the potential for even greater things to emerge. Instead of pursuing creation in service to evolution, we have an enduring and recurring negative experience of life.
Only if the problem is “fixed” (yep, another made-up construct) can we allow ourselves to resume having a good experience—which lasts exactly one second before the universe diverges from our preference in some other way. Problem, fix, repeat. Problem, fix, repeat.
It’s incredibly easy to fall into this pattern after losing a limb. We should have four limbs, enabling us to do certain things in certain ways. Therefore, fixing the problem of limb loss means trying to reconstitute the life we should have—or did have. But what if we step back into reality, pierce the veil of thought that made us perceive a problem, and stop looking for a fix? What if we ask, instead: “If the universe is asking for something new to be created, through me, in service of evolution…what might that be?”
A recent article in the Harvard Business Review examined companies that achieve “perpetual innovation”—that continue innovating after an initial success. One of the surprising examples the author cited was Microsoft, which under new CEO Satya Nadella has changed the company’s posture from “defense to offense.” That’s another way of saying the company pivoted from a fix-the-problem orientation (defend the status quo) to a creation orientation (pursue a new status quo to score new successes).
“This reorientation was accompanied by a strategic shift,” the article noted. “Instead of protecting its assets in a defensive [problem-solving] posture, Microsoft went on offense [creation], ceding big investments in existing tech and looking to jump into emerging opportunities.”
I love the phrase “perpetual innovation.” In nature, where there is no misperception of problems, perpetual innovation is the prime directive. In fact, the natural universe is so maniacal about innovation that it hasn’t repeated itself once in 14 billion years. That’s perpetual innovation. Not even the same snowflake twice—ever. Everything you see is an absolutely new thing. You—yes, you—your form and persona have never existed before and will never exist again, ever. You are simultaneously ordinary and infinitely unique and precious.
You, yourself, are the outcome of, and evidence of, nature’s perpetual innovation. Your existence is the culmination not of nature’s constant problem-solving but of its undaunted, constant creation of the new. You and everything in your life directly refute your mind’s made-up lament that there are problems everywhere.
Anything’s possible when we wipe our perceptual lens free of the fictional smudge of problem and look at every moment as our universe does: “What new is to be created here?” Bucky Fuller said it irrefutably: “You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.”
Amputees Thrive on New Creation
In my practice as a leadership coach, I have seen “build a new model” in glorious effect again and again among organizational leaders. And as a new amputee, I’m also seeing it manifesting everywhere I look within the limb-loss community.
One example is Cassandra Quave, who required a right below-knee amputation due to congenital factors, then needed follow-up treatment for complications from an antibiotic-resistant infection. This experience gave rise to Quave’s lifelong investigation of plant-based medicinal approaches in cultures around the world. Instead of trying to “fix the problem” of drug-resistant bacteria, Quave saw an opportunity to create an alternative class of medical tools. Her approach may give humanity a new model for battling infection, making the old antibiotics-based model obsolete.
Albert Yu-Min Lin was creating new branches of evolution long before losing his leg in 2016. Renowned as a scientist, innovator, technologist, entrepreneur, and National Geographic Explorer, Lin developed a platform to resolve geographic mysteries by crowd-sourcing vast amounts of satellite imagery. The Engineers for Exploration program he launched at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), sent hundreds of students into field expeditions around the globe. When an accident forced the amputation of his right leg, Lin alchemized that problem into new creation with UCSD’s Center for Human Frontiers. This interdisciplinary, project-driven research institute promotes an array of revolutionary technologies, including one that can improve access to prosthetic limbs among the world’s 40 million amputees. Fittingly enough, Lin’s middle name, Yu-Min, translates to “citizen of the universe.”
A third amputee who broke free of the problem-solving trap is Erica Cole. She lost her left leg in a car accident while completing a university degree in chemistry, and her new disability left her unable to accept the prestigious job she had been offered as a scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory. But, inspired by the difficulty in finding jeans to accommodate her prosthesis, Cole made a rapid and profound pivot to become an adaptive clothing entrepreneur. Her startup, No Limbits, is rapidly rising within the industry, fueled in large part by Cole’s successful partnerships with Mark Cuban and Emma Grede on Shark Tank. Instead of dwelling on the losses of her limb and career as problems, Cole instantly recognized the opportunity for new creation, building a thriving business that brings her joy and fills a glaring need for functional, fashionable adaptive clothes.
All three of these individuals acted exactly like the redwoods: When they lost a limb, they chose to create new ones up higher, closer to the light. They chose to not orient around problem-solving, focusing instead on “What is to be created through me now?” All answered the call mightily.
We Can Only Go Forward
I can hear the clamor building, so I will articulate it myself: “I call bullshit, Souder. Limb loss brings real problems. Loss of mobility. Pain management. High healthcare costs. Loss of income. Ruptured relationships…Souder, mental health—are you telling me limb loss doesn’t cause problems?! I call bullshit.”
I hear you.
The pain of reality can be so powerful that it moves us into a conditioned consciousness that’s built around problems. But as someone who received a terminal cancer prognosis as a teen, and who now has a very high above-knee amputation of the left leg, I don’t share any of this from a place of utter naiveté nor situational ignorance. I share it from experience. And what I’ve discovered is that when I have approached any of my circumstances as problems, I have not been successful in seeing a way forward. When I approach them as an opportunity to create and evolve into something new—when I ask, “What is to be created?”—it opens up exponentially greater possibilities for how I can make my life better. It’s simply a more practical route to positive outcomes.
At age 18, I was diagnosed with metastatic sarcoma and told I had 18 to 36 months to live. The all-powerful forcing function of mortality moved me fairly quickly out of problem-solving mode to the ultimate practicality of “What is to be created?” I could stay in problem-solving mode and orient what remained of my life around a desperate attempt to fix my cancer, or I could focus on creating the most full and wondrous life possible for whatever time I had left. Shifting into “What is to be created?” mode opened me up to the kind of possibilities a human life is meant to experience.
When I outlived my diagnosis by many decades, I already had made the conversion from problem-solving mode to creation mode. It became the operating system for all my further choices in life. The by-product has been the privilege of helping others make that shift.
The forcing function that directed me toward creation mode was a terminal prognosis. But a “terminal prognosis” is, in itself, an example of the faulty problem-solving mode. The truth is, we are all living with a terminal prognosis. Not figuratively. Literally. That’s another absolute truth in nature. Everything and everyone is evolution happening, simultaneously dying and birthing the new through what we choose to create. In choosing, moment by moment, between problem mode and creation mode, we build an experience called our life. So ask yourself: “Is my health and well-being best served by choosing to orient my life around solving problems? Or do I want to be a catalyst of evolution, with a wide-open aperture of possibility, and discover what is to be created through me?”
When we frame a situation as a problem that needs to be fixed, we create a stress scenario, which alters brain functionality to the detriment of creativity. An MRI study by Harvard and Yale psychologists showed that creativity is at its maximum when the brain is in “diffuse mode” and all three brain networks (salient, default, and executive) are freely collaborating. By contrast, stress-induced “focused mode” destroys the very neuroanatomy that generates creativity. “The hippocampus also allows us to imagine the future,” says New York University neuroscientist Wendy Suzuki. “Long-term stress is literally killing the cells in your hippocampus…zapping your creativity.”
Imagine if leaders in business and government replaced the question “What is the problem to be solved?” with “What is evolution asking us to create?” or “What new world are we being given the opportunity to create?” How would that impact the choices they make, and the degree of imagination they apply toward bringing us into a vibrant, thriving, and healthy future?
Imagine if those leaders could learn from the experience of people who’ve lost limbs and, like the redwood, created new ones up higher, closer to the light?
When we really look at it, problem-solving’s North Star of success is to somehow get us back to the relative familiarity of what was, whereas asking “What is evolution calling us to create?” is an aspiration to move ahead to the next, better place. When we’ve lost a limb, there is no going back; we can only go forward. It becomes a true imperative to redirect our gaze from “what was” toward “what can be.”
In service to your future, your right-now, your very life, isn’t it worth it to at least run the experiment? Take whatever you’re currently seeing as a problem—the biggest one—and simply ask: “What might evolution, and my limitless self, be asking me to create here instead?”
If approached with conviction, that one simple question could become the trimtab that turns every moment toward your greatest life.
Experience the beauty of movement again. South Beach Prosthetics is here to help you every step of the way, from designing the prosthesis to getting you to the perfect fit. Contact us today at 888-819-4721. Follow us on Instagram for more tips.
An active lifestyle is essential for overall health and well-being, but it’s especially important for those who use prosthetics. Staying active helps maintain strength, flexibility, and a positive outlook. However, pushing too hard can lead to overuse injuries, putting a halt on your activities and progress. Find a balance with our guide here.
SIX WAYS FOR AMPUTEES TO AVOID OVERUSE INJURIES
Back pain, knee pain, shoulder pain, and wrist pain are all common issues for amputees, regardless of which limb or limbs is affected. These parts of the body are often asked to bear extra weight, are required to perform tasks at angles they aren’t intended for, and carry loads they aren’t exactly equipped to carry.
For acquired and congenital amputees, adaptations shouldn’t harm the rest of the body. Overuse injuries are cracks in the amputee’s autonomy—especially as age contributes to loss of strength and flexibility.
Attention to symptoms of overuse needs to start when the amputation occurs or soon after. For congenital amputees, it needs to start during childhood. Self-sufficiency needs to be the goal for both the short-term and long-term.
Laura Clubok, a pediatric occupational therapist, is a congenital amputee and owner of On the Other Hand Therapy in Columbus, Ohio. She is part of a growing group of amputees who advocate for early intervention to prevent overuse injuries in amputees. Laura was born with a left below-wrist difference. She earned her undergraduate degree at Harvard University and her master’s degree in occupational therapy (OT) at the Boston School of Occupational Therapy at Tufts University.
“Instead of adapting you to the world, adapt the world to you,” she tells others with amputations. “I feel strongly about spreading this message as an OT and as a person with a limb difference. It’s on my generation to share this with children and families.”
Laura says occupational therapy approaches are specific to every individual, depending on their amputation, size, gender, activities, and other factors. Overall, she recommends consulting with your doctor and OT to help you carry out these six important steps toward preventing overuse injuries:
Set Up Your Medical Care Team: Establish relationships with and lean on your primary care physician, specialists, occupational therapist, and physical therapist. Consider adding add acupuncture, and massage, and chiropractic care.
Reduce Fatigue and Manage Pain: Learn how to conserve energy, treat your pain, and simplify your work.
Maintain Posture and Exercise Regularly: Aim for flexibility, strength, and symmetry.
Adapt Your Home Base: Reduce strain by choosing tools that can help you accomplish essential tasks.
Hack the World Around You: Find out what accommodations are available to you, and take advantage of them.
Focus on Emotional/Social Awareness: See a therapist to discuss ableist beliefs and body image issues, and join a support group.
For many amputees, especially congenital amputees, overuse injuries hit them in middle age and force them to reduce their activities and build entirely new sets of adaptations. The amputee who has been working at a desk faces carpal tunnel syndrome in their dominant and only hand; surgery to repair it is not a simple option. Amputees who have been physically active need shoulder repairs, a prospect that is much more daunting when it immobilizes their only arm. Hip and knee injuries for unaffected limbs may require surgery, rest, and/or physical therapy, reducing activity and decreasing muscle strength and stamina that can be difficult to regain.
“When I was born many years ago, physical differences were not celebrated,” Clubok says. “I felt uncomfortable when people noticed or drew attention to my hand, but I also wanted to do everything that my ten-fingered peers could. These competing desires created an unbearable bind: wanting to fit in while often standing out.”
Those feelings of insecurity led her to make adaptations in order to be able to do what her peers did and look just as “normal” doing it. She developed a mindset that overachieving and working herself to the point of physical pain would make her feel accepted.
“I am so thankful that I no longer feel and think this way, and I hope that no child or young adult feels this way either,” says Clubok. “Children and young adults with upper limb differences still make exhausting physical and mental compensations in their daily lives to function in a two-handed world. There is too little awareness of how cumulative strain can hurt bodies with asymmetries while they are ‘trying to do it all.’”
Clubok recently relaunched ontheotherhand.org, a website that supports individuals with limb difference, their families, and occupational therapists who have limb differences themselves.
“There are too many things that families raising children with upper limb differences—and the children themselves—still have to figure out on their own,” she says. “And there still are too many mainstream messages pushing children with differences to be superhuman overachievers.”
Clubok has also formed a practitioner group for occupational therapists with upper-limb differences with Amber Jenkins, assistant professor and doctoral capstone coordinator in the department of occupational therapy and health science at Rockhurst University in Kansas City. Jenkins was born with Poland Syndrome, which included a right-hand difference. The group’s members have a variety of upper-limb differences and are either occupational therapy practitioners or occupational therapy graduate students in master’s degree and clinical doctorate programs.
Clubok’s connection with other amputees on the Lucky Fin Project’s online support group for adults changed her trajectory by giving her the opportunity to talk with others about the physical and mental compensations she made as a child hoping to fit in.
“Meeting other adults like me over the past few years—people with beautiful souls who happen to have differences like mine—has profoundly changed my life,” she says. “I no longer see bodies like mine as defective or deficient, just different.”
Move with confidence, and find the best services and solutions with us. South Beach Prosthetics is here to help you every step of the way, from designing the prosthesis to getting you to the perfect fit. Contact us today at 888-819-4721. We offer in-home care, and we can bring you to appointments to see us if that is your preference: transportation is an included service! Follow us on Instagram for more tips.
The world is full of incredible destinations waiting to be explored. Here’s a great piece that can help you gain knowledge and confidence to conquer airports, explore new cities, and create unforgettable memories. If you have tips that you want to share — please submit them here and we will share them! https://www.southbeachop.com/share-your-story/
Wheel the World’s Tips for Traveling and Flying with Mobility Aids
In partnership with Wheel the World, the Amputee Coalition will receive a donation with every travel booking made using the code ‘AMPUTEECOALITION.’
Embarking on a journey holds a special kind of magic, the promise of new places, cultures, and experiences. We understand—travel is exciting, and everyone should have the chance to dive into it headfirst.
Now, we know that when you’re exploring the world with a mobility aid, the adventure takes on its own unique factors. There are extra elements to consider. In this article, we will discuss the important phases of travel and provide tips, insight, and considerations as it pertains to mobility aids.
Tips for Planning Accessible Travel with Mobility Aids
Let’s review some helpful recommendations when planning your trip to ensure it can go as smoothly as possible. Of course, nothing ever goes perfectly during travel, but these tips can help prevent some of the potential issues and mitigate stress.
Researching Accessible Destinations
Not all destinations are created equal when it comes to accessibility. Before you set your heart on a location, first do some research on the destinations you’d like to travel to. Here are a few things to consider:
Accessible accommodation: are there hotels in the area that offer the accessibility features that suit you? Also consider the location within the city. Staying in close proximity to the top sites, attractions, and things you want to do will add extra convenience.
Attractions and tours: does the destination offer reliable tours for those with limited mobility? Typically, larger cities will have far more options than a remote, rural town.
Transportation: do you plan on renting an adaptable vehicle, using public transportation, or ride-shares such as Uber or taxis? For example, places like Europe offer excellent public transportation and many of the major cities there have adapted for accessibility, making it a reliable option.
Plan Far in Advance
When it comes to accessible travel, foresight is your best friend. Plan your trip well in advance to ensure you have ample time to address any specific needs. This includes booking accessible accommodation, transportation, and activities. Contact the hotel and tour operators to double check the accessibility information is reliable. It’s also a good idea to have a backup plan in case of any unforeseen challenges.
This also pertains to flying. Research the airline’s policies for traveling with mobility aids. Although many of them have similar protocols, there may be some differences among them. When you book a ticket, there is typically an option with your booking to check that you’re flying with a mobility aid. To be extra safe, contact the airline right away and let them know the details. The airline representative will then make a note on your reservation.
Choosing Accessible Accommodation
Your home away from home should be a sanctuary of comfort and accessibility. Look for hotels, resorts, or vacation rentals that prioritize accessibility. Check for features like ramps, wide doorways, accessible bathrooms, and other accommodations that suit your specific needs.
One of the major problems we see in the accessible travel industry is either a lack of information, inaccurate information, or both. It’s common to see an “accessible” sign slapped on a hotel’s website without details. For travelers with mobility aids, accurate information is not just important, it’s absolutely paramount.
To combat this common problem, booking through a dedicated accessible travel company will make the process and research far easier. Wheel the Worldis devoted to providing accurate, reliable, and verified information to ensure you can find accessible accommodations (and more) that suit your needs. This is done through a comprehensive mapping program. By compiling over 200 measurements and data points focused on accessibility, travelers can book worry-free trips. For further details on how the information is gathered, check out this article.
Tailoring Activities
Every traveler has their own bucket list, and yours should be no different. Tailor your activities to your interests while keeping accessibility in mind. Whether it’s exploring historical sites, enjoying outdoor adventures, or exploring the local beaches, there are options out there. Many destinations have local tour operators that can help you. They’ll often provide a service for accessible tours and the right equipment for activities. Research to see what the local area has.
Depending on the destination, some websites detail their accessibility information, so make sure to research each attraction/activity to see if it’s doable for you (some destinations are far better than others with this).
Don’t hesitate to call them as well. Wheel the World also provides accessible tours, activities, and packages that cater to accessibility needs.
For personalized travel experiences that are right for you, fill out this free accessibility profile. This will bring you the best results.
Tips for Flying with Mobility Aids and Navigating the Airport
Air travel is an adventure in itself. For some, it is the most stressful aspect of travel. However, with a few considerations, tips, and insights, it can turn into a smoother experience.
What Mobility Aids Can Be Taken on a Plane?
Manual Wheelchairs: airlines are required to have room in the cabin for at least one folding wheelchair. Make a request to pre-board the flight so there’s room for you to do so. If there is more than one person flying with a manual wheelchair, the space is available on a first-come-first-serve basis. If you aren’t able to have it on-board, then the wheelchair will be checked upon boarding and a wheelchair attendant will assist with transferring via an aisle chair. You can request that the wheelchair be brought to you upon arrival close to the aircraft door.
Walkers: very similar to wheelchairs, walkers will typically be checked at the gate. You can request the walker be brought to you upon arrival.
Canes: because canes are a mobility aid and aren’t considered luggage, they are permitted to come with you on the plane. A flight attendant can help you stow it somewhere. Folding canes that fit properly under the airline seat can usually be taken with you to your seat or packed in your carry-on if you don’t need it during the flight.
Power Wheelchairs: Power wheelchairs cannot be taken on-board as there hasn’t been any protocols to allow for this. For flying with a power wheelchair, check out this article that covers this topic in depth.
Notify the Airline in Advance
Communication is key. Notify the airline of your specific needs well in advance. This allows them to make necessary arrangements, make a note on your reservation and ensure a smoother process for you.
Tell them your situation and any personal needs, such as the need for assistance through the airport or to the airplane seat.
For wheelchair-users, give the airline the details of your chair including the dimensions, weight, and type of battery for power-wheelchairs.
Choose an Aisle Seat
Selecting the right seat can make a significant difference. Upon booking, try to select an aisle seat and, if possible, as close to the front as possible. This simple tip allows for transfers to go smoother.
Arrive Early
Give yourself ample time. Arriving early allows you to go through security and boarding processes at a comfortable pace. When you request airport assistance, sometimes the attendant won’t be available right away.
Going Through TSA
If you are not able to walk through the TSA metal detector, passengers can request to have a manual pat-down by a TSA agent. You can request the pat-down to be conducted by an agent of the same gender.
If you use a cane, the cane will have to go through on the belt for screening. If you are unable to walk through the security detector, the TSA agents will either do a manual pat-down or bring your cane back to you afterwards and you can go through the screening machine.
Remove Parts to Prevent Damage
If you are flying with a wheelchair, remove or fold any vulnerable parts to prevent damage. Consider parts such as the headrest, footrest, joystick, and armrests. Also, remove your cushion and put it on your plane seat. Bring an extra carry on and bring the removed parts on the plane with you. Ask a flight attendant to help you store those parts safely.
Notify the Airline of Any Damage
If you notice damage has been caused during transit, go immediately to the airline customer service counter and file a claim. For domestic flights, U.S carriers must compensate you in the event that your mobility aid is lost or damaged.
Know Your Rights
Knowledge is power. Familiarize yourself with the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), a U.S. law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in air travel. This act ensures that air travel is equally accessible to all individuals, regardless of their mobility challenges. Read more about the Amputee Coalition’s endorsement of this act.
If you have experienced any issues flying that you would like to share with the limb loss/limb difference community, we invite you to join the Advocacy community on AC Connect.
Conclusion
Accessible travel is not just a possibility; it’s a celebration of the spirit of adventure. With the right information and preparation, individuals with mobility aids can embark on journeys that are enriching, fulfilling, and, above all, accessible.
So, embrace the excitement of travel. Let the wheels of your mobility aid be the companions on a journey filled with discoveries.
As you set forth on your next trip, remember: travel knows no limits, and neither do you. May your adventures be boundless, your experiences unforgettable, and your spirit forever free. Safe travels!
Don’t let mobility limitations hold you back! South Beach Prosthetics is here to help you navigate the journey with cutting-edge quality care prosthetics solutions. Contact us today at 888-819-4721. Follow us on Instagram for more tips.
Amputation, while a life-changing event, is just one chapter in your ongoing story. While the journey presents unique challenges, it also opens doors to resilience, adaptation, and a newfound appreciation for your body’s incredible capabilities. Here, we offer information, support, and practical strategies to effectively address secondary pain and optimize your overall well-being.
The key to preventing secondary pain after limb loss is preventing complications. This means taking meticulous care of your residual limb, your prosthesis, and your general health.
Because your residual limb is hidden under your prosthesis, paying close attention to how it looks when your prosthesis is off is very important. Developing habits of twice-a-day inspection and care is very important.
Also important is taking care of your prosthesis, liners, and socks.
And what is meant by the term “general health”? This means eating well, getting physical exercise and rest and emotional well-being. It also means managing any health conditions as well as possible. If you have diabetes, this means keeping your glucose levels under good control. And it means maintaining a healthy weight, without swings of weight gain or loss.
General Guidelines for Taking Care of Your Residual Limb
It is hard to overstate the importance of taking care of your residual limb. Your healthcare team will give you instructions, such as these general rules:
Wash your residual limb twice a day.
Use mild, fragrance-free soaps, as they are the least likely to cause skin irritation.
Do not use lotions on your residual limb unless there is a compelling reason to do so as advised by your prosthetist or by your doctors. When lotions are advised, use water-based lotions rather than alcohol-based, which tend to dry the skin.
Wash your liner every night using a mild, fragrance-free soap that is recommended by the liner manufacturer or by your prosthetist.
Do not wear a wet liner.
If your amputation is below the knee, check the hard-to-see area behind your residual limb knee with a mirror.
Report to your prosthetist the development of any blisters or reddened areas (that don’t go away when your prosthesis is off) on your residual limb.
Care for Your Prosthesis
An ill-fitting prosthesis greatly increases your risk of secondary pain. The socket should be comfortable and practical.
Always wear shoes with the same heel height as the one your prosthesis was aligned with originally to maintain the right alignment.
You should check your prosthesis frequently for unusual signs of wear and tear and report concerns as soon as possible to your prosthetist.
Pistoning occurs when the residual limb slips up and down inside the prosthetic socket while walking. This can cause the skin to pull and be damaged. This is generally due to poor socket fit and inadequate suspension. If you continue to experience pistoning after you have correctly applied your socket liner, contact your prosthetist to have your fit checked. To accommodate volume and shape changes of the residual limb, some sockets can be reduced and/or padded, thicker liners may be used or air bladders may be installed.
Perspiration is normal but can cause heat rash and abrasions. When sweating occurs, you should immediately remove your prosthesis. Dry your liner and skin before putting your prosthesis on again.
Keep Moving
When a group of people with limb loss was surveyed, nearly 50 percent reported pain in their non-amputated limb and 62 percent reported low back pain. This is because after amputation other muscles and joints have to carry extra stresses and loads. These stresses can cause strain, inflammation, and further pain. Additionally, low back and hip pain can increase symptoms of phantom pain.
Your physical therapist can help you design an appropriate exercise program. Regular exercise will help you strengthen and retrain your muscles. Besides walking, a good follow-up program may include back extension strengthening and balance exercises – important for helping to decrease the stresses to your lower back and hips. You should try and see your therapist once a year or so for gait evaluation. If you slowly develop poor gait habits, it can cause back and/or hip pain.
Weight Management
Maintaining a healthy weight is important for everyone. It is even more important after your amputation. Even a five-pound weight gain or loss can make a difference in the fit of your prosthesis.
Eat a well-balanced diet and drink plenty of water. Not only will this help with weight management, but it will also help with maintaining healthy skin.
Report any change in your weight to your healthcare provider and prosthetist.
Feeling overwhelmed by post-amputation challenges? South Beach Prosthetics is here to help you navigate the journey with cutting-edge quality care prosthetics solutions. Contact us today at 888-819-4721. Follow us on Instagram for more tips.
Watching someone you love battle the relentless grip of chronic pain can feel like walking blindfolded through a maze. You want to help, to ease their burden, but the path often seems as murky as the pain itself. Here’s where the journey truly begins – a journey not towards a cure, but towards understanding, empathy, and practical tools that can make a real difference. Together, we can illuminate a brighter path forward.
How to support a loved one with chronic pain
For millions of people, living with chronic pain can significantly affect daily activities, relationships, work and well-being. Chronic pain typically is categorized based on the duration of pain experienced.
The pain or discomfort people feel while recovering from an injury or illness is considered acute or subacute. Pain lasting beyond usual recovery from a trauma-related event or surgery, typically 12 weeks, is considered chronic. Pain can transition from acute to chronic, depending on a person’s recovery process.
Effect of chronic pain on daily life
Chronic pain can cause a person to avoid activities that cause further pain. This can lead to muscle weakness, joint problems and being more prone to injury. These avoidance behaviors also can lead to psychological isolation and stress. Moving the body and being physically active are crucial for long-term pain management. Encouragement from family, friends and caregivers to stay active and motivated is vital in improving physical health and psychological well-being for a person with chronic pain.
Central sensitization pain presents additional challenges, including mood changes and fatigue. Patients with central sensitization pain may experience heightened pain responses during physical activity.
Supporting loved ones with chronic pain
It’s important that loved ones understand the effect of chronic pain on a person’s daily life. Not being able to engage with family and friends can lead to mood symptoms like anxiety, helplessness and hopelessness.
It’s beneficial to encourage people with chronic pain to maintain a sense of normalcy, remain involved in social activities and stick to a routine sleep schedule.
However, caregivers should balance encouraging activity and enabling passivity, as helping can exacerbate physical and psychological limitations and dependency.
When supporting someone with chronic pain, here are some ways a loved one can help:
Understand the nature of chronic pain.
Recognize that chronic pain differs from acute pain and can last beyond the expected recovery period. Be aware of the different types of chronic pain and the effect on your loved one’s life.
Encourage movement and physical activity.
Motivate the person to do gentle exercises, stretching or physical therapy, even if it initially causes some discomfort. Gradually increasing activity levels can help improve pain and overall functioning.
Support a balanced routine.
Help establish a regular sleep schedule and ensure the person is exposed to daylight during the day. Encourage healthy habits such as maintaining a nutritious diet and avoiding substances like drugs or smoking. Understand that someone with chronic pain may have fluctuating levels of pain. Encourage them to participate in social events and integrate into family meals or outings when they feel up to it.
Provide emotional support.
Chronic pain can take a toll on a person’s mental health. Listen when needed, offer emotional support and encourage open communication about their feelings and experiences. Help them seek professional help if needed. Understand that chronic pain can be unpredictable, and the person may have good and bad days. Practice patience, flexibility and adaptability to accommodate their needs and limitations.
Avoid enabling behaviors.
While being empathetic is important, avoid reinforcing a sedentary or inactive lifestyle. Encourage independence and motivate the person to participate in their daily activities as much as possible.
Stay informed and advocate for proper medical care.
Educate yourself about the specific condition causing chronic pain, available treatments and strategies for managing pain. This knowledge will help you better understand and support the person’s journey. Help the person find health care providers who specialize in chronic pain management. Advocate for their needs and ensure they receive appropriate medical attention, including seeking second opinions if necessary.
Encourage self-care.
Remind the person to prioritize self-care, including practicing relaxation techniques, pursuing hobbies and engaging in activities that bring joy and reduce stress.
Remember, a person’s experience with chronic pain is unique to them, so it’s essential to tailor your support to their needs.
Witnessing your loved one struggle with chronic pain can be agonizing. This is where South Beach Prosthetics steps in, not just with cutting-edge quality care prosthetics solutions, but with a commitment to empowering your loved one’s journey beyond pain. Contact us today at 888-819-4721. Follow us on Instagram for more tips.
2024 holds a tapestry of opportunities for those who seek to transcend challenges and embrace a life of vitality. Learn more about some of the most common obstacles to physical fitness amputees face and the strategies to overcome them. Remember, we are also here to assist you in any ways that we can so you can crush your 2024 goals. Ask us about our included transportation and in-home care!
OVERCOMING THE 5 MAIN OBSTACLES TO AMPUTEE FITNESS
Establishing an exercise routine is difficult whether or not you have a disability. Time, money, motivation, and confidence can pose hurdles for almost everyone. But additional obstacles confront people with limb difference and other disabilities. And that is unfortunate, because it’s especially important for us to stay active. Exercise can reduce social isolation, depression, pain, and other problems that amputees commonly face. So even though we face high barriers to fitness, we have a strong imperative to try to overcome them.
Here are the five biggest obstacles to physical fitness I’ve faced as an amputee—and how I got past them.
1. Setting realistic fitness goals
At a time when there are new approaches to fitness being promoted every day, navigating the resources to get started can appear daunting. As a starting point, I trust the CDC’s recommendations for adults with physical disabilities or chronic conditions: 150 minutes of moderate-intense aerobic physical activity each week, with two days a week of muscle-strengthening activities. Aerobic physical activities include walking, wheelchair rolling, biking, running, and swimming, among others.
Start with a realistic goal: Try to walk one mile several days a week. You can build this into your daily routine, so it’s not an extra time burden. Log the mile while walking your pet, catching up with a friend, running an errand, or just getting a dose of fresh air and sunshine. When I want to get a cup of coffee in town, I ride the bus in and walk the mile home.
If you’re traveling by wheelchair or bicycle, pick a distance that feels right. Or turn the walk into a jog or a run, if that’s what you prefer. The point is to make the time to move on a regular basis — and to strike a balance that doesn’t leave you exhausted.
If, like me, you love to swim for exercise, try an online search for local community pools that offer pool passes. I take advantage of the pool hours at my local YMCA. There are often options for private/group swim lessons or club practices.
2. Feeling self-conscious about your body
One major concern that held me back from pursuing physical fitness was poor body confidence. As a higher above-knee amputee, I walked with a limp, felt unsure of my strengths and weaknesses, and was intimidated by fitness spaces and workout culture. I did not know how to adapt my body to exercise.
I could have continued holding myself back out of fear—fear that I would look silly in any workout, fear that I would not be able to adapt to workout equipment, fear that I would embarrass myself at sports clinics. But who was left behind in the end? Only me. The only person responsible for reaching my fitness goals was me. Consider this: No one is thinking about your body as much as you are. And your body is only going to do what you challenge it to do.
I follow the social media accounts of various people who compete in adaptive sports, and I’ve always been impressed by their ability to keep showing up to competitions and pushing their bodies to new capacities. I knew I could never match their athletic ability, but I could match their persistence and keep showing up—at the pool, at the climbing gym, at the fitness center, or at the park with my running leg. I gradually moved further outside my comfort zone, gaining more confidence in my body as I discovered what it was capable of. I learned to love that process. I even started to feel proud of my body.
You don’t need confidence to show up. Show up first, to whatever fitness opportunity excites you. The confidence will come later.
3. Lacking motivation to maintain a workout schedule
Growing up, I didn’t want to dedicate a lot of time to athletic training and competition, but I still wanted to be physically active. Sound familiar? But you don’t have to be training for a marathon or an Ironman triathlon to find motivation; you don’t need to have a coach or a nutrition team. Just start with one reasonable fitness goal that excites you, and compete against yourself. That becomes your motivation.
For me, I wanted to challenge myself to run and swim several times a week. I had to do it near home, at times that fit into my work schedule. It couldn’t be a major priority for me. But I could still take it seriously. I did that by attending Challenged Athletes Foundation running clinics and incorporating their tips and feedback into my at local park. I did the same with my swimming.
Finding recreational athletic groups that meet consistently can also be helpful for sustaining your motivation. When I became interested in rock climbing, I joined the Adaptive Climbing Group. The group gathered at the same location at the same time, every week; that schedule held me accountable. Consistency doesn’t need to be a strict daily regimen. You can focus on manageable weekly routines. (And having friends that check-in on those helps, too!)
4. Getting the right equipment (and the knowledge to use it)
For a long time, I avoided working out because I wasn’t sure what equipment I needed or how to use it. Eventually I reached out to my local recreation center and set up a consultation with one of the personal trainers. She showed me how to use dumbbells and resistance bands, and we created sets of exercises and stretches that I could do on my own. I purchased the bands so I could use them at home, and I visited the gym for access to the dumbbells.
If you are interested in learning more about how to use gym equipment with your disability, I recommend having a conversation with one of your local gym’s staff members. Even if you do not plan to pursue personal training sessions, a one-time meeting allows you to learn how to safely use treadmills, rowing machines and other equipment on your own. Alternatively, you can ask for lessons from friends who are comfortable with gym equipment.
For some fitness pursuits, regular workout gear won’t work for amputees. But various organizations provide grants to help you obtaining the technology you need to run, bike, ski, or participate in wheelchair sports. I received Challenged Athletes Foundation grants to get my first running leg and bike, and there are many other opportunities out there. Start with Amplitude’s Community Resource Directory, which lists more than a dozen organizations that help amputees acquire sports-related prosthetic technology.
5. Dealing with pain and discomfort
Workouts push our bodies into uncomfortable territory. We are exercising different muscle groups that aren’t used to working as hard, so it is common to feel sore. But workouts should not be painful. So if your workout habits are causing you pain, it is important to speak to your prosthetist, so they can check the fit and alignment of your prosthesis to ensure it’s meeting your needs. It might be that some portions of your workout are easier to do without your prosthesis.
Similarly, you might find certain seated or standing positions to be uncomfortable during a workout. If so, work with your prosthetist or PT to find adaptations that allow you to push your body with more ease. I have adjusted parts of my workouts to be completed while sitting, as opposed to standing, to put less pressure on my knee and lower back.
If you make adjustments but continue to experience pain during workouts, you should consult your physician. They can determine if you have acquired any injuries that need to be treated.
Alexandra Capellini is a resident physician at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor.
Redefine your journey as an amputee for 2024. Experience strength, resilience, and mobility with our cutting-edge prosthetic solutions. Contact us today at 888-819-4721. Follow us on Instagram for more tips on prosthetic care.
December not only marks a time of joy and celebration, but also serves as a reminder to embrace the spirit of inclusion. Here, we can celebrate the strength of the amputee community and acknowledge the diverse talents and abilities of individuals with limb differences. Below, we list nearly two dozen programs and services for amputee job seekers that will inspire those aiming to start a new life — or just a new chapter — in 2024.
As Diana Theobald observes in “How to Be an Amputee With a Job” (appearing in our September/October issue), it’s nice that the federal government sets October aside as National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). But when you’re in the job market with a disability, one month barely scratches the surface. “I’ve been acutely aware of disability employment for more than 100 months in a row,” she writes. “The streak began immediately after my amputation. Would I be able to keep moving forward on my chosen career path? How does one do that on one leg?”
NDEAM is meant to focus attention on programs and services that help employers and disabled job candidates find each other. But you can get year-round access to many of those resources in our Amputee Community Resource Directory. With NDEAM just getting started, this seems like an opportune time to highlight some of the programs in our database.
While the Resource Directory doesn’t have a stand-alone “job programs” category, you can easily find relevant information by conducting a keyword search. We plugged in terms such as “job training,” “careers,” “employment,” and “work,” and came up with 22 distinct entries that support amputee job seekers. They include federal programs, state-by-state networks, independent nonprofits, and corporate initiatives.
We’ve summarized some of them below. While it’s a pretty robust list, there are almost surely other programs that escaped our notice. If you know of anything we missed, send us a note (editor@livingwithamplitude.com) and we’ll update the Amputee Resource Directory.
Job Boards for Amputees and People With Disabilities
If you know what you’re looking for, your resume’s up to date, and you’re prepared to get out there and start doing interviews, there are a number of online job-posting sites that are specifically aimed at applicants with disabilities. Here’s what we found in our Resource Directory:
Jobs Ability: This innovative portal was developed by quadruple-amputee John Robinson in partnership with Microsoft and other high-tech partners. Jobs Ability lists hundreds of jobs from industry-leading employers, using AI to match you with the job openings that best fit your skills and career objectives. jobsability.com.
Disability: IN Inclusion Works.Many of the world’s largest corporations use Inclusion Works to recruit talented people with disabilities. When we checked this morning, there were active listings from global leaders such as Google, Pfizer, Bloomberg, Walgreen’s, Qualcomm, CVS, and Expedia. disabilityin.org/what-we-do/inclusion-works/company-opportunities.
USA Jobs.The federal government’s official hiring portal includes employment opportunities specifically tailored for people with disabilities. Federal agencies are required to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. Follow the link and scroll down to the “Search Jobs” box. usajobs.gov.
Ability Jobs.Ability Jobs has thousands of positions posted by employers who are preapproved and committed to hiring amputees and other people with disabilities. More than 6,000 companies are registered, including small businesses, Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and nonprofits. abilityjobs.com.
Recruit Disability. This nonprofit, open-source employment initiative shares information for job seekers with limb difference and other disabilities. This morning’s “Who’s Hiring” list includes major brands like Best Buy and Target, dozens of universities and government agencies, and disability-focused nonprofits such as the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. recruitdisability.org.
Career Advising and Workforce Development Services
Need to do a little homework before you start hunting for jobs in earnest? Here are some programs that can help you do the prep work you need, from assessing your skills to writing your resume, focusing your job search, polishing your interview skills, and negotiating workplace adaptations and accommodations.
Vocational Rehab Agencies, State-by-State Listing. As featured in our current print issue, Voc Rehab offices provide amputees with all sorts of employment support. Nearly every county in the US has an office. The best way to find the Voc Rehab agency in your area is to start with your state’s VR website. Find yours at rsa.ed.gov/about/states.
American Job Centers. American Job Centers provide free help to job seekers of all kinds, including people with disabilities. Funded by the U.S. Department of Labor and located throughout the United States, AJCs offer amputees and other job seekers with disabilities a range of services, including access to job banks, computers, resume writing tools and printers, networking groups, workshops, and more. careeronestop.org/ResourcesFor/WorkersWithDisabilities/
AgrAbility.This nationwide nonprofit aims to enhance quality of life for farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural workers with disabilities. Support programs cover many aspects of rural life, including gainful employment in the agriculture industry, and education/retraining to support career transitions. agrability.org.
Amputee Coalition Workforce Development Program. The Workforce Development Program helps participants (including teenagers, adults, and veterans) explore career options, transition back into the workforce, or start their journey into the workforce. Services include one-on-one career development meetings, resume writing assistance, fact sheets, webinars, and more. amputee-coalition.org/limb-loss-resource-center/workforce-development-program/.
Other Workforce Programs for Amputees
Centers for Independent Living. CILs are community-based nonprofits led by and for people with disabilities. There are roughly 350 CILs across the country, and all provide some form of employment support. Specific programs vary from location to location, but may include referral services, skills training, counseling, mobility support, transition assistance, and more. ilru.org/projects/cil-net/cil-center-and-association-directory.
AbilityCorps.AbilityCorps sponsors a wide variety of programs for amputee job seekers, including disability job fairs (both online and in person) and volunteer opportunities. abilitycorps.org.
Job Accommodation Network. JAN is the leading source of free, expert, confidential guidance on job accommodations and employment issues for amputees and people with disabilities. JAN offers practical, one-on-one guidance and technical assistance on job accommodation solutions, including self-employment and entrepreneurship options. askjan.org.
Ticket to Work. If you receive Social Security Disability Insurance and/or Supplemental Security Income benefits based on disability, Ticket to Work provides you with the choices, opportunities, and support you need to enter the workforce and maintain employment, with the goal of becoming economically self-supporting over time. yourtickettowork.ssa.gov.
Partnership on Inclusive Apprenticeship.PIA collaborates with employers and intermediaries to design inclusive apprenticeship programs that enable people with disabilities to gain credentials and skills to succeed in growing industries. inclusiveapprenticeship.org.
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