I've gone through amputations with several friends and with a couple of my students who were injured in a roll over accident.
The hardest part for them has been psychological; forgetting the limb isn't there, seeing how others react to you, pity from other, staring, etc.
Phantom feelings can be very strong, they will have the sensation of itching or pain in the missing limb, the nerve endings in the stump still transmit feelings.
He will need to find an answer to those who will ask questions, especially those who don't have the need to know. But for some reason people feel the need to walk up to an amputee and say things like: Gee, guess you save on a pair of shoes? or How did you lose your leg? Did it run off while you weren't looking? They don't mean to be hurtful but they don't know how to act or react and tend to blurt out stupid things. If he has an answer before it happens it will be easier.
One of my friends who lost both legs to diabetes, above the knee, and can't have prosthetics because of weight and health issues always has an answer. Usually he's say something like darn,, my legs are missing??? or No I don't save money, they still charge for both. Hey,, why don't you cut off the other leg and we'll share?
For kids he'll usually tell them to be careful and eat right so they don't get sick and lose a limb.
The first few months of trying to stand up and forgetting you are missing a leg can be very hard. It's frustrating to fall, or sit back down suddenly, and there really isn't much you can do to change those feelings.
If the depression that most suffer from gets really bad make sure he stays in contact with his counselor. He should have one before, during, and afterwards to help him deal with this situation. His family will need help and counseling too, he might tend to turn away from those he loves because he thinks he's protecting them from seeing him in this condition.
Make sure he knows he is still loved and valued for the person he is, with or without both legs.
There are a lot of support groups for amputees, and they are free, check your local paper and ask around hospitals and VA clinics especially. with all the war wounded coming home there will be more and more support for amputees and TBI patients.
Good luck and you are in my prayers.
kate
The hardest part for them has been psychological; forgetting the limb isn't there, seeing how others react to you, pity from other, staring, etc.
Phantom feelings can be very strong, they will have the sensation of itching or pain in the missing limb, the nerve endings in the stump still transmit feelings.
He will need to find an answer to those who will ask questions, especially those who don't have the need to know. But for some reason people feel the need to walk up to an amputee and say things like: Gee, guess you save on a pair of shoes? or How did you lose your leg? Did it run off while you weren't looking? They don't mean to be hurtful but they don't know how to act or react and tend to blurt out stupid things. If he has an answer before it happens it will be easier.
One of my friends who lost both legs to diabetes, above the knee, and can't have prosthetics because of weight and health issues always has an answer. Usually he's say something like darn,, my legs are missing??? or No I don't save money, they still charge for both. Hey,, why don't you cut off the other leg and we'll share?
For kids he'll usually tell them to be careful and eat right so they don't get sick and lose a limb.
The first few months of trying to stand up and forgetting you are missing a leg can be very hard. It's frustrating to fall, or sit back down suddenly, and there really isn't much you can do to change those feelings.
If the depression that most suffer from gets really bad make sure he stays in contact with his counselor. He should have one before, during, and afterwards to help him deal with this situation. His family will need help and counseling too, he might tend to turn away from those he loves because he thinks he's protecting them from seeing him in this condition.
Make sure he knows he is still loved and valued for the person he is, with or without both legs.
There are a lot of support groups for amputees, and they are free, check your local paper and ask around hospitals and VA clinics especially. with all the war wounded coming home there will be more and more support for amputees and TBI patients.
Good luck and you are in my prayers.
kate