I would have to say that it took me about 6
months to one year to become proficient with my new limb.
Getting used to all aspects of life as an amputee took a
little longer. Going to the beach, which we did
constantly, was a little more difficult now. It was
complicated in funny ways, like putting my limb on in
public used to embarrass the hell out of me. Also, we used
to swim in the Niagara River/Chippawa Creek, which mostly
meant diving in up river and floating downstream a mile or
two. I felt like a bit of a freak at times, noticing
people staring at me. My girlfriend or somebody would have
to carry my limb and crutches down river to where I would
get out.
I persevered, however, and gradually, time did
its' thing, and I became "normal" again,
whatever that is. I returned to school and life went on.
I think the main thing that helped me adjust
during those two years, was the fact that it was me who
got to make the final decision for the amputation. I
remember lying fully conscious in the operating room,
while they sawed my cast off for the fifth and final time.
When the cast was removed, they actually pulled out a pin
and stuck it up and down my leg to see if there was any
feeling, just like in the movies!. I could feel it in my
foot region, but nothing from mid thigh to mid calf. The
next day, all my doctors came around and presented me with
the facts. To this day, I know that my attitude going in
was very good because I had made the decision. From day
one, I was only concerned with getting on with life. I
didn't have the "poor me" attitude for very long
at all.
With the support of my friends and family, I was
determined not to let this slow me down. I didn't want to
be considered "disabled". Life for me was going
to be much like it was before my accident.
