Things are slowing down here. Not had much to report, therefore, not much to write. I contemplated forcing myself to sit down and write every night, I've decided that I have set a standard for myself and my writings that I want to uphold. I have had new sockets made, this should be my last socket before the "Comfort Flex Socket." Google it, it's the latest design and should allow me more comfort and maneuverability than I have with the current hard carbon fiber socket. To say that I'm excited about this would be an understatement.
Last month, April, was Amputee Awareness month. In today's climate, the chances that you know or will know somebody with an amputation is climbing rapidly. We have more and more soldiers returning home with battlefield injuries and medical science is allowing more people to survive the most grizzly of traumas and thanks to the work of those in the prosthetic field, we have a life beyond wheelchairs and crutches.
I have finally found a gym and can start focusing on getting back into fighting shape...just have to wait on that socket to get here. I got the ok to start doing leg presses and squats for my lower body, as well as cardio and endurance training. Gotta get ready to move on...and with that I have applied for Car 3 at my service (I made it to the 2nd round of interviews, but wasn't picked for the final 3), as well as the QA position at the service. Although, I am very excited at any and all of these possibilities, today while driving back from dropping off my soon to be step son, I saw a helicopter hovering above the highway. I still have my dream of being a flight medic, and I'm not sure that I'm done with that dream. I just have to get down to flight weight, it's going to be a fight, but I think I'm up for it.
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!
Joe,
ReplyDeleteYou are doing great! You are amazing and can do anything! With Kate by your side, there is nothing you can't accomplish that you set your mind to. you are the strongest, hardest working person I know and I'm proud to call you my brother! We love you and are rooting for you!
The leg controls a lot of the motion. As I step over the toe the computer controls the speed of the swing, I control the speed I walk. Most of the balance and control comes from the muscles in the hip. Try this....put your knee on the arm of a couch, pick your opposite foot off the ground and try to balance. This is kind of what it's like to have an above knee amputation and balance on a prosthetic. Thanks for the well wishes.
ReplyDeleteJoe (Prosthetic Medic)