Well, had to postpone the work hardening program a week. I'll be starting on Monday. The reason for the delay is that I'm getting my new ComfortFlex socket on Monday morning and will be starting the exercise program at 2 pm on Monday. I'm really excited for both, I cant wait to get back into shape. This week has shown me how much endurance and stamina I have lost over the past year. I've been making an effort to walk more, not using the motorized carts in stores, walking around my house and neighborhood. I break a sweat after just about 5 minutes of walking, while I've always been one to sweat at the drop of a hat, I can peel an orange and start sweating LOL.
Anyway,
I got some very exciting news a few days ago. I've been selected with 2 others from my prosthetic company to represent Otto Bock in a Public Safety photoshoot. In our prosthetic company we have a Police Officer who is an above knee amputee, a Fire Fighter who is a bilateral below knee amputee, and my self representing EMS. I have high hopes that this ad campaign will bring attention to those of us working in public safety, no matter the agency or department, and show that an amputation isn't a career ending disability, but just a hurdle to be overcome. I can honestly say that this has been one of the most trying times in my life, but I wouldn't trade this experience. I have gained a new respect for those who have came before me and hope to be an inspiration to those who will face these trials in the future.
Follow along on the adventures of an amputee Paramedic. I have now fell into activism/advocacy work for Insurance Fairness for all amputees. I occasionally do some Motivational Speaking, I'm writing a book, and of course blogging all that stuff here. Follow me through all my wins and losses in the fight to break the stereotype of what amputees are capable of. I may write about EMS, Healthcare, Amputees, or Nonsense. Follow the blog and see what today brings!
Will you be able to post the photographs to your blog when they've been taken / when the ad campaign goes public? I'm looking forward to seeing them.
ReplyDeleteI think it's an extremely inspirational thing to see people overcome hurdles. Lots of people think of amputees as "damaged", but I really think it's just something to overcome - just like other people deal with other stuff in their lives.
My issue is my thyroid ... which, obviously, you can't see. To most people, I'm just "the fat girl who isn't loosing weight." and I know that a lot of people just assume I'm lazy or a slob because I'm heavy. :(