Coping with Loss
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Coping with Loss
(For those who are about to experience or who have recently experienced an amputation)
You may have recently undergone amputation surgery, had a child born with a congenital limb difference, or just learnt that one or more of your limbs must be amputated. You survived the illness, infection or injury that threatened to take your life. But winning that battle meant losing a limb. At first, the victory may taste bitter-sweet as you face the emotional and physical challenges of rehabilitation. Reclaiming your old life may seem like an impossible goal when it takes so much time to re-learn basic life tasks, such as taking a shower or driving a car. How can you possibly think of bowling with your friends when a trip to the supermarket has become an obstacle course? Yet, living a full life requires being with friends and family, watching your child’s soccer game, or going to work. The things we do define and give purpose to life. Without meaningful activities and relationships, life loses vitality, spirits wilt, moods lower, and identities falter.
Coming to terms with limb loss and our changed feelings about ourselves – our altered self image – is not easily done. It is not uncommon for amputees to go through a depressed state after their operation. We grieve for our loss in many different ways and repressing this grief can cause emotional stress. This grieving is part of the healing process but you cannot really begin to make progress until you get out of this stage. Allowing yourself to indulge in self-pity and depression for too long will only delay your recovery and your renewed participation in everyday life. You may feel shocked, depressed, angry or frustrated. You have probably never given any thought as to how amputees cope with life, or been aware of the availability and efficiency of artificial limbs. So you may also be feeling anxious and uncertain about your future.
From the start, the focus of your rehabilitation should be on how much you can do, rather than on your limits. This “can do” attitude is important to help you achieve new limits and goals. As you learn how to use your artificial limb (prosthesis) and do things you may have thought you would never do again, take pride in each small milestone.
The journey to reclaiming your life is hard. No two amputees share the same experience, confront the same obstacles, or achieve the same level of ability. And yet you are not alone. Every amputee goes through a challenging, even gruelling, rehabilitation. You can expect to try, fail, and try again in the process of re-learning skills, discovering abilities and confronting limits. Many people will consider giving up. But keep in mind that the fight to reclaim your life is worth it. Be patient with the process. Be compassionate toward yourself. Be curious about your limits. Laugh at your failed attempts. Don’t compare your progress to someone else’s. But, most importantly, don’t give up! Amputees who continue to challenge themselves find new limits. They don’t just survive, they thrive.
Our main goals
Our main goals in coping with limb loss are to facilitate emotional healing and adaptation, empowering amputees to navigate their new realities with confidence and support.
- Recognise and validate feelings of grief and loss.
- Encourage the sharing of experiences in support groups.
- Provide access to counseling and psychological support.
- Educate on the stages of grief and emotional recovery.
- Offer strategies for adapting to new physical realities.
- Promote physical rehabilitation to improve mobility and independence.
- Foster connections with other amputees and mentors.
- Highlight the importance of family and community support.
Amputee Guide
Artificial Limbs
Exploring artificial limbs: enhancing lives, overcoming challenges, and fostering independence.
Phantom Limb
Understanding and adapting to phantom limb sensations for amputees.
Amputee Mobility
Promoting independence and mobility for amputees through advanced prosthetic solutions.
Benefits & Assistance
Navigating financial aid and support services for amputees, focusing on benefits and assistance programs.
Sport & Recreation
Promoting active lifestyles for amputees through sports, physical activities, and recreational opportunities.
Caring For Yourself
Guidance on self-care for amputees, covering limb hygiene, prosthesis care, and joint health.
Children & Teens
Supporting children and teens with limb differences: emotional, educational, and social guidance for growth and inclusion.
Employment
Enhancing employment prospects for amputees through support, rights protection, and tailored services.
Amputee Support
Coping with Loss
Addressing emotional healing and adaptation for amputees coping with limb loss.
Support Networks
Building community and offering peer support for amputees through regional societies and social networks.
Societies
Connecting amputees across New Zealand through supportive regional societies and resources.
Artificial Limbs
Enhancing amputee lives through artificial limbs: adaptation, comfort, and mobility.