Tribute to Courage

I have been thinking about courage and the many different faces this particular type of bravery wears in public.
In the environment of working for a Prosthestist I have the privilege of meeting a diverse array of amazing and courageous human beings.



There is an insidious disease out there going by the name of Diabetes. I remember as a youth hearing about it, but never really it gave much thought .

Now , as my generation enters that time of life these things are once again brought to our attention as we get our regular check ups or we notice certain symptoms beginning.

In this business, lately I have been in contact with new amputees. Most are Below the Knee, but it started with a sore on the foot or toe.

There is a doc here who does most of the amputations and they call him 'toe at a time so and so ....' (of course I cannot name him,) but before you know it the leg below the knee is gone, sometimes above the knee. Gangrene can set in and since diabetics don't heal properly it's very dangerous.

Anyway, most of our patients that I have met have diabetes, or peripheral vascular disease, where there is no blood flow to the veins etc. to the feet.

One lovely lady has had both legs amputated below the knees and her attitude is so amazing and upbeat. She has had her car modified, rides her bike, and walks everywhere when needed. When I think of courage , her face comes to mind.

Then the other day, a fellow was in who's amputation was just very recent and he is getting his very first 'leg' as we say.

He was in the hospital and after his surgery tried to get up in the night to use the bathroom, forgetting that he did not have his leg any longer. You see, it feels like it is still there, so he just hopped out of bed, and ended up back in surgery. The stories are incredible,and most folks I have met have a good attitude.

I always ask, how was it trying to process the fact that you are loosing a part of your body ? (since it's not like tonsils right?) Sometimes, they have very little time to even think about it depending on the situation.

Another recent amputee from diabetes, says she can still feel her toes, and has been told to wiggle them even though they are not there , since it will help the muscles in her upper leg.

I cannot even imagine what it must be like.

Another fellow more elderly, and a tad on the 'crusty' side, came in with his family recently, and his daughter reported that the only reason he was alive and survived the surgery was because he is afraid to die. So very sad....No wonder he's crusty !

These people are only one small face of courage and bravery. The ones I come in contact with nearly every day.

Then there are the child amputees....but that's another story.