Recent Amputee/Current Program Director

It takes me a while to commit to writing about my journey. If I'm being honest, with the way I feel, it's been exceedingly difficult to get back to writing at all. Could be the work I've committed myself to or maybe even the illness that led to my amputation in the first place. Word to the wise, watch your blood sugar people.

I am currently a Director of Programs for a non-profit organization that focuses on homelessness and food security. My job entails the creation of new programs for the people and families we serve as well as maintaining the current programs we have in place. This includes a meal prep kitchen, dining room, a men's shelter, and a family shelter plus many more facets. The job requires almost constant movement (walking) and supervision including responding to emergencies twenty-four hours each day. In these situations, I pay respects to the tireless and hard-working employees of our areas within the Salvation Army.

I find that the day-to-day maintenance of my condition and adjusting to my new situation have made me a bit grumpy and rather difficult to deal with. (In my opinion, that is.) I don't like sitting anywhere for long and being in a wheelchair most times can really test my resolve mentally but I seem to have a few physical symptoms that my new friends, who are also in similar situations, tell me are the norm. Examples Like hip and lower back pain, indigestion from being bent at the midsection, and of course, some additional body pain. All of these have solutions to alleviate the discomfort by stretching, laying straight when out of the chair, and doing chair exercises but Damn! What a little tidbit of info I wish I'd heard before.

I have been very much so looking forward to having a prosthetic and then running around with my new, metal or graphite leg. Silly me for almost thinking I could get one right out of surgery, LOL! forgot about the long road to recovery. One of the most important aspects of my recovery has been the phenomenal support of my family while I'm going through all this. If it were not for my wife and my son who have been incredibly helpful in all aspects of mobility and care the entire time. Not to mention, they have helped me more with mental health and acceptance than I would have ever expected. I really believed I was on the road to an early grave. Without them and my friends, I'm sure I would have withered away.

I find that there are some real role models out there for living without a lower leg. One of my favorite and most inspirational has been an adventurer and National Geographic Explorer named Albert Lim, he climbs mountains and does research in some of the most challenging environments with his prosthetic. I have watched every special of his and then feel rather invincible because of his positive attitude and adaptability. Never met him but would love to give him a big bear hug.

I have recently met a new friend through my home care nurse. My new friend is a real inspiration in that she is more active than almost any other athlete that I've ever met in my life. She has a long-standing disability and has also had a full leg amputation. With all of this, she has managed to be a serious tennis athlete and is training for the Paralympics. Her attitude is of "CAN DO," never negative that I've seen. She's amazing.

Once I'm back to my daily grind of the job to advocate and support those in need and fight poverty, homelessness, and food insecurity, I will make the time to go above and beyond to get out there for adventure and exploration much more than I had in my previous life. Perhaps I can be the inspiration to someone else like everyone has been to me. I now know that there is much more to life than work. It would do you good to take this advice, no matter who you are or what you do.