Amputees Support Group

It depends on how he is dealing with the impending loss of a limb. Just let him know that you will be there for him before and after in any capacity he needs. Under no circumstances tell him that you know how he feels, because you don't and he knows it. No one knows how he feels unless they have had to deal with the loss of a limb. After the amputation and some healing takes place get him the following: Physical and Occupational therapy, Peer Counciling, and a Prosthetist to talk to him about a prosthesis. It may take him some time to get through the trauma of losing a limb so bare with him. Good luck and let us know how he is making out.

Show him this site and let him read some of our stories about what we went through and still going through. I say its harder to lose a piece of one body then to lose a love one. Best thing you can do for him is be there for him and help when he needs help and don't treat him like he a cripple I personal don't like when my loves ones treat me like that, I lost my leg not my heart or my ambition to exceed in life. I know my limitation better then anybody else so don't tell I can't just because I lost my leg or treat me in a way that I feel that you don't understand.

Dennis

http://limbsforlife.org/index.php?...

LIMBS FOR LIVE FOUNDATION WILL HAVE A LOT OF INFORMATION

LIKE ANY OTHER TRAGIDY THERE WILL BE ALL KINDS OF EMOTIONS . FEAR , ANGER , DENIAL AND SELF PITTY. . MORE IMPORTAN THAN YOU SAYING ANYTHING IS FOR YOU TO LISTEN TO HIM. . LET HIM EXPRESS HIS CONCERNS. LET HIM BRING UP THINGS THAT CONCERN HIM AND LISTEN. LET HIM KNOW THAT YOU WILL BE THERE FOR HIM AND HELP HIM GET THROUGH THE TOUGH TIMES AHEAD.

SUGGEST TO HIM THAT HE READ ALL HE CAN ON THIS SUBJECT AND LEARN ALL HE CAN . INCOURAGE HIM TO ASK QUESTIONS . AND TELL HIM THAT IT IS OK TO BE ANGRY AFRAID AND SAD AND TO CRY . YOU AT LEAST UNDERSTAND THE NEED TO DO ALL THESE THINGS. AND I THINK IS OK TO LET HIM SEE THAT YOU HAVE FEAR AND CONCERNS AND TO LET HIM SEE YOU CRY. IT IS NOT GOOD TO HOLD ALL THE EMOTION IN . HE AND YOU NEED TO START OFF BEING OPEN TO EACH OTHERS FEELING AND WORRIES. AND EMOTIONS. LIFE ONLY CHANGES WHEN YOU LOSE A LIMB IT DOSE NOT END . IT MAY STOP YOU FROM DOING SOME THINGS BUT IT DOES NOT STOP FROM DOING EVERY THIING. YES YOUR LIFE WILL BE DIFFERENT BUT NOT THAT MUCH DIFFERENT. ATTITUED IS EVERYTTHNG NO MATER WHAT PROBLEM THAT COME OUR WAY. OUR ATTITUED WILL BE THE ONE THIING THAT WILL MAKE THE PROBLEM MORE OR LESS OF A PROBLEM. IT ALL DEPEND ON OUR ATTITUDE ABOUT OVER COMING THE PROBLEM AND DOING AND BEING THE WHAT WE CAN BE IN SPITE OF THE PROBLEM. A WHOLE NEW WORLD MAY OPEN UP FOR YOU TO DO THINGS YOU NEVER DREAMED YOU COULD DO BECAUSE YOU NEVER HAD THE REASON OR THE DRIVE TO WANT TO DO THEM BUT NOW YOU DO AND YOU CAN WITH THE RIGHT AITTUDE.

YOU CAME TO THE RIGHT PLACE. I LOOKED AT IT LIKE THIS, THAT MY LEG SERVED ME UP UNTIL THAT POINT, AND THEN I HAD A CHOICE TO GIVE THANKS FOR MY OLD LEG, FOR ALL ITS YEARS OF SERVICE, NOW I'M SO GRATEFUL FOR MY NEW ONE WHICH IS SO MUCH BETTER AND I LOVE ALL OF THE PEOPLE I HAVE MEET AND ALL THE FUN I'M STILL HAVING. ITS ALL ABOUT ATTITUDE.!
WITH LOVE,
BHARATA (JAY)

I was in so much pain before I had my leg amputated that I actually welcomed the loss of it. I had to deal with phantom pain (which is very real), but they have medications for that. Tell him we're all here for his support. If I had any questions, this is the place I came to for help. The people are so nice and they have lots of good advice. My bka (below knee amputation) took place on May 6th. I've got my new leg but haven't been able to wear it yet due to complications. But, nearly everyone here has gone through the same thing. Feel free to give him my screename if he needs someone to talk to. But, remember --- there are people here who have much more time under their belts and might be more helpful.

You think you're as prepared as you can be, knowing you will be losing your leg, but nothing will ever prepare you to the waking up from surgery and seeing no leg or an artificial leg laying there. What helped for me, was to just have my family say and treat me like they would have before the amputation and not dwell on my leg being gone. Hope all goes well for your son.

A great place is a Amputees Support Group that you can go too.Their should be a place near by you.This ask person that makes
legs.I still remerber the frist day I lost my Leg 41 years ago.so the more he can see other that have a Amputee leg and doing things the better he be.

This cite is awsome with the attitude that is here.With it and friends and family around me helps pick my spirits up. Another thing you might want to do is volenteer work with him.The hospital or senior center is a good place to show despite people problem you can live a great life.Inreturn they will help him in lfe to.Good luck to him and my prayer are with him.
Kevin

Hi, best is to bring someone in the picture at some stage who is using a prosthesis and has been thru the same experience. It really helps to meet someone and talk to them about it. He might have lot of questions which can best be answered by person who has dealt with it.
Look for a local ampuitee support group and talk to them about someone volunteering.
God bless.

I guess it depends on if the loss of the limb is due to trama or from ongoing issues. And his age. For me I grew up with corrective surgeries to help fix my leg. When I was about 35 my leg was bothering me more and more. Corrective surgery did not have much of a good outcome so I elected for amputation. My parents could have made that decesion back when I was a baby. I don't relish having to make that decison for someone else. But you should explain in a way to your child in a way he can understand his options. Both pros and cons of this important decison.