I'd almost given up on writing a blog. I'm a very private person and was feeling self-conscious about sharing my thoughts and ideas. But I've decided to give it another go.
My best thinking happens while I'm physically active. It seems that while my body is occupied, my mind is free to wander. And the less I try to direct my thoughts, the better I am at sorting them out. It may even be more enjoyable than dreaming.
Often, while I'm swimming, I compose posts to share. The thought, the word choice -- it all seems so entertaining and perfectly structured. But then, once I've had the pleasure of experiencing it, it seems unnecessary to write it down.
I would, however, like to capture my thoughts and experiences as an amputee. The challenges I face in everyday life, overcoming the simple struggles that all amputees face: I think that chronicling the process will be useful to other amputees. So here goes...
30 October 2010
13 June 2010
How can you help? Inundate my Senators with a flood of letters
Today I wrote a letter to my US Senators, asking them to help me appeal the Social Security denial of my disability claim. I'm outraged that after supporting myself for my entire adult life I've been denied. How could that happen? I feel that I've fallen through the cracks and there is no net to catch me.
You can help me by writing a letter or sending an email to my Senators. (If you want to email, click on the Senator's name to follow the link to his individual website.)
Praise my accomplishments, commend my character, tell them I was cute as a baby or that I can juggle--but please write. I hope that an avalanche of letters of support will encourage them to at least review my case.
Praise my accomplishments, commend my character, tell them I was cute as a baby or that I can juggle--but please write. I hope that an avalanche of letters of support will encourage them to at least review my case.
Washington DC Office
448 Russell Building
Washington DC 20510
Tel: (202) 224-2823
Fax: (202) 224-1083
CT District Office
30 Lewis St Suite 101
Hartford, CT 06103
Tel: (860) 258-6940
(800) 334-5341 (in CT)
Fax: (860) 258-6958
Tel: (860) 258-6940
(800) 334-5341 (in CT)
Fax: (860) 258-6958
Washington DC Office
706 Hart Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
202.224.4041 (Voice)
202.224.9750 (Fax)
Connecticut Office
One Constitution Plaza, 7th Floor
Hartford, CT 06103
860.549.8463 (Voice)
800.225.5605 (In CT)
866.317.2242 (Fax)
10 March 2010
Aimee Mullins: The opportunity of adversity | Video on TED.com
If you haven't yet met Aimee Mullins, you must watch her presentations at TED. She's an inspirational speaker with many life lessons to share. Here's her latest:
25 February 2010
skiing
Follow this link to watch me ski!
Skiing with the Gaylord Hospital adaptive sports team at Bromley Mountain, February 6th. (In the video, that's my instructor coming in behind me.) Can I even describe how difficult it is to ski on one leg? Try doing squats for two hours without stopping. Now do that on one leg. Nonetheless, it feels great to be out on the mountain. And both the Gaylord team and the adaptive sports program staff at Bromley are incredibly caring. I've been lucky to ski three times this winter--and I'm going again this Saturday!
07 February 2010
"going cyborg"
My brother forwarded this article to me: it captures well the awkward and painful experience of learning to walk again.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/10/magazine/10lives-t.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/10/magazine/10lives-t.html
14 January 2010
acceptance
It's essential: acceptance of my new, disabled, physical state.
Essential in order to progress, essential to having an emotionally
healthy life. But I'm not there yet. No matter how much better it
gets, there's no denying that this is horrible, it will always be
horrible. It is a traumatic disruption of my life and I don't see how
I'll ever get back on track. (And I don't yet see the new track.)
Essential in order to progress, essential to having an emotionally
healthy life. But I'm not there yet. No matter how much better it
gets, there's no denying that this is horrible, it will always be
horrible. It is a traumatic disruption of my life and I don't see how
I'll ever get back on track. (And I don't yet see the new track.)
11 January 2010
boots (and shoes too)
Finding boots and shoes that fit properly is a challenge. Like other things, it's a bigger challenge than for able-bodied people. You wouldn't think so at first, not until you try putting a shoe on a prosthetic foot. Putting on shoes is the most time-consuming part of my daily dressing routine Here are a few tips:
1) First of all, accept the fact that once you get your shoes on you'll likely be wearing them for a few days. I used to love changing my shoes often, choosing the pair that would be just right for my outfit and slipping into slippers when I got home. Now I accept that I'll be wearing the same boots for a day or two--or three--in a row.
2) Get a professional metal shoehorn (expensive, yes, but worth it). Plastics will break. Even the long metal shoehorn designed for people with disabilities wasn't strong enough.
3) Look for boots made from supple leather with zippers that go very low on the foot. You need a large opening to get the boot over your ankle.
4) Always use a sock--a smooth nylon is good.
5) Consider getting a foot that's a half size smaller than your real foot. This may sound radical, but it's worked for me.
6) Online shops such as zappos.com andendless.com offer free shipping (and free return shipping). This has been incredibly helpful--I can order two or three different styles and try them on at home.
Above all, have patience. Keep trying. And when you find something that fits, that you like--consider buying two pair.
Here are three boots that have worked for me. Please also post your recommendations.
Easy Spirit
Timberland
Born
1) First of all, accept the fact that once you get your shoes on you'll likely be wearing them for a few days. I used to love changing my shoes often, choosing the pair that would be just right for my outfit and slipping into slippers when I got home. Now I accept that I'll be wearing the same boots for a day or two--or three--in a row.
2) Get a professional metal shoehorn (expensive, yes, but worth it). Plastics will break. Even the long metal shoehorn designed for people with disabilities wasn't strong enough.
3) Look for boots made from supple leather with zippers that go very low on the foot. You need a large opening to get the boot over your ankle.
4) Always use a sock--a smooth nylon is good.
5) Consider getting a foot that's a half size smaller than your real foot. This may sound radical, but it's worked for me.
6) Online shops such as zappos.com andendless.com offer free shipping (and free return shipping). This has been incredibly helpful--I can order two or three different styles and try them on at home.
Above all, have patience. Keep trying. And when you find something that fits, that you like--consider buying two pair.
Here are three boots that have worked for me. Please also post your recommendations.
Easy Spirit
Timberland
Born
27 December 2009
appreciating small progress
I've been knitting a lot during my recovery. It's something I learned as a child but never continued as an adult. Who has time for hobbies or crafts? I always thought--I'm too busy with important things: learning, working, doing.
Today I reminded myself that a year ago I was unconscious, in a hospital bed in ICU. Nine months ago, when I woke up, my hands were too weak to open a water bottle or take the plastic wrap off my hospital meal. Now I'm knitting. In fact, the project I'm working on now is fine work on small needles (3.5mm):
This is the first four inches of a scarf, with cabling and multiple stitch patterns.
So maybe I can't skate across the ice or shovel snow. Yet. Appreciate the small advances.
Today I reminded myself that a year ago I was unconscious, in a hospital bed in ICU. Nine months ago, when I woke up, my hands were too weak to open a water bottle or take the plastic wrap off my hospital meal. Now I'm knitting. In fact, the project I'm working on now is fine work on small needles (3.5mm):
This is the first four inches of a scarf, with cabling and multiple stitch patterns.
So maybe I can't skate across the ice or shovel snow. Yet. Appreciate the small advances.
rain rain go away
Sadly, the snow is gone. For all my complaining about slipping and sliding, I like the snow. It's been raining for two days and two nights, washing away all the snow. The temperature has been in the 40s--in fact, I think it's over 50 this afternoon--if it all dries before it freezes, maybe I can safely leave the house.
I've been recuperating from skin breakdown. My plastic surgeon has recommended bone revision surgery to my residual limb, because the scar tissue is causing shearing, which leads to skin breakdown. Once the skin is damaged, it takes about a week to heal, a week during which I can't wear my prosthesis. So, without my prosthesis it's too dangerous to leave the house. Walking on crutches in ice and snow is ridiculously dangerous (though I admit I haven't yet tried the crutch spikes). Any injury--to hands, arms or foot--can put me back in a wheelchair.
But still I love the snow. I had such a pretty view of snow and trees outside the large windows in my (borrowed) sitting room. I would wish it back, but I suppose I would prefer to take a walk.
I've been recuperating from skin breakdown. My plastic surgeon has recommended bone revision surgery to my residual limb, because the scar tissue is causing shearing, which leads to skin breakdown. Once the skin is damaged, it takes about a week to heal, a week during which I can't wear my prosthesis. So, without my prosthesis it's too dangerous to leave the house. Walking on crutches in ice and snow is ridiculously dangerous (though I admit I haven't yet tried the crutch spikes). Any injury--to hands, arms or foot--can put me back in a wheelchair.
But still I love the snow. I had such a pretty view of snow and trees outside the large windows in my (borrowed) sitting room. I would wish it back, but I suppose I would prefer to take a walk.
26 December 2009
winter tools
Due to the recent snowstorm, I've discovered the hazards of winter weather. All of sudden, the world is a cold, wet, icy, slippery and snowy potential death trap.
I've found these tools to help me navigate the hazards of New England's winter wonderland:
(1) Spare Spike: http://www.winterwalking.com/products/spare-spiketm ($24.95), a device that slips over my boots and provides traction on ice and slippery surfaces. (Will damage flooring, however. Figuring out how to get them on and off without wrecking indoor floors is still a challenge.) Haven't used these yet, but they fit well over my boots and look promising.
(2) Ice spike attachment for cane ($8.99): I purchased this locally, at Apex Pharmacy in Hamden, Connecticut (a full-service pharmacy with a comprehensive line of home medical equipment and medical supplies) Can also be found at Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Duro-Med-Prong-Grip-Crutch-Attachment/dp/B0009STN2E/ref=pd_bxgy_hpc_img_b). Works great--but will definitely damage floors.
(3) Crutch tips with retractable ice spikes: I haven't purchased these (hoping to not be on crutches for much longer) but have found many variations online ranging in price from $15 to $90.
I've found these tools to help me navigate the hazards of New England's winter wonderland:
(1) Spare Spike: http://www.winterwalking.com/products/spare-spiketm ($24.95), a device that slips over my boots and provides traction on ice and slippery surfaces. (Will damage flooring, however. Figuring out how to get them on and off without wrecking indoor floors is still a challenge.) Haven't used these yet, but they fit well over my boots and look promising.
(2) Ice spike attachment for cane ($8.99): I purchased this locally, at Apex Pharmacy in Hamden, Connecticut (a full-service pharmacy with a comprehensive line of home medical equipment and medical supplies) Can also be found at Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Duro-Med-Prong-Grip-Crutch-Attachment/dp/B0009STN2E/ref=pd_bxgy_hpc_img_b). Works great--but will definitely damage floors.
(3) Crutch tips with retractable ice spikes: I haven't purchased these (hoping to not be on crutches for much longer) but have found many variations online ranging in price from $15 to $90.
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