By Kathy Spozio

The Give and Gain of Peer Visitation
What goes around, comes around...

When we think of peer visitation, we usually associate it with service to a new amputee or family member, often times overlooking the opportunity it may present to benefit the visitor. This story will focus on just that--how peer visitation may and, in this case, has changed the life of Charlie Underwood of South Knoxville, Tennessee.

In 1990, admittedly quiet and reserved Charlie Underwood was about to have his life changed forever. For the past year, he had been experiencing coldness in his left foot, undiagnosed despite several attempts by medical professionals. The day started, as most any for him, as he headed out to his job on a construction crew, however, coldness in his left foot turned to excruciating pain at mid-day. Charlie had no choice but to seek medical attention again, but the same puzzling result occurred; nothing was diagnosed and Charlie returned home until the pain subsided. Coincidentally, a few days later, he was on another job hanging wallpaper for a medical doctor with whom he shared the story of his ongoing symptoms. On the doctor's advice, Charlie left the job site immediately and headed directly for the University of Tennessee hospital where he was diagnosed with a blood clot in his left foot. Just another ordinary day, turned extraordinary by a set of circumstances that would turn Charlie's life upside down and inside out. Following more blood clots, pneumonia, and several unsuccessful surgeries to save his foot, he became a below-knee amputee.

Charlie recounts his hospital stay by remembering that he was visited shortly after surgery by a nurse who happened to be an amputee. She asked him if he had ever heard of the "Super Stars?" Charlie asked if they were basketball players, but soon found out differently when his peer visitor handed him a pamphlet explaining that the Super Stars was an amputee support group in the Knoxville area.

Charlie proved his independence early on while still in the hospital. He told his doctor, "I walked in and I intend to walk out," and he did exactly that. Before leaving he was fitted for a prostheses, had rehabilitation, and then walked out on two feet. But, shortly after discharge, he was feeling disgusted and uninterested in support--he called it "feeling real low." "My friends all seemed to disappear," he said, "and when I returned home to my four children and wife I felt the weight of the devastating experience of amputation; wondering if I would ever work again and how I would care for my family." Charlie said he sat around for about a month before finding the pamphlet he was given in the hospital and decided to go and see for himself what the support group was all about. There he found that seeing other amputees was really helpful and has been a member of the group ever since. The Super Stars later became known as Amputees Coming Together (ACT) and for the past 12 years Charlie has been a member of the group, serving in various administrative capacities and on the board of directors. He believes it's "the best thing I ever did in my life."

Although Charlie made his first peer visit across the hall while still a patient himself, it wasn't long before he and others from the ACT group were trained by support group member Rita Huttner in 1991; later, by former Amputee Coalition CEO Mary Novotny in 1995; and most recently, by Pat Isenberg, current Amputee Coalition Chief Operating Officer in 2001. Now, he and other ACT members can be found visiting in any of five Knoxville area hospitals where referrals are received from either the sites directly or through the Amputee Coalition. Although visiting opportunities seem to wax and wane, Charlie remembers one day in particular when there was a rush of referrals and he made seven visits all on the same day. He estimates that he has made over 100 visits throughout the last 12 years. Charlie's wife Wilma, also visits with him from time to time and he credits her for assisting with the older population who often don't have family or anyone to rely on for support. Charlie also depends on Wilma to accompany him on visits he makes to female amputees.

When asked how being a peer visitor has changed his life, Charlie is quick to say that before he became an amputee he didn't take time out for other people, busying himself with work and providing for his family. The illness and eventual amputation "turned my life around," says Charlie. He still speaks with amazement in his voice when he talks about how being a peer visitor has helped him, saying it "really got to me -- touched me."

Charlie has fond, albeit occasionally painful, memories concerning many of his visits, saying that "sometimes I think I shouldn't get so close. But," he continues, "I do." He recalled his first official visit when a man had one really important question for him. He wanted to know if he could dance again if he lost his leg? "You can do anything you want to," Charlie told him. "It's all up to you."

Then there was the man from Kentucky who had the worst accident Charlie had ever heard of--losing all four limbs and his sight in a sawmill accident. Charlie said it wasn't easy to do that visit, but he was there to listen when the young man said to him, "I know I'm messed up pretty bad, but I think the Lord will let me have my sight back." There was a smile in Charlie's voice when he told me he had a call the next week asking him to return for another visit and found the man had regained his sight, was later fitted with four prosthetic limbs, and eventually returned to the sawmill. "Often times," says Charlie, "I might not see someone I visited for a year or two. Then I get a call from someone who reminds me of their peer visit and what it did for them." For him he says, "It's all from the heart."

This father of four and grandfather of three really didn't retire after leaving the construction field following his amputation. Aside from his support group and peer visitation service, Charlie finds time for several other worthwhile endeavors. He volunteers with the Amputee Coalition in Knoxville from time to time, always ready when they call for his assistance, particularly with mailings around the time of the National Conference. Charlie also works with the amputee youth group associated with ACT, and each year organizes and chaperones, along with other amputees and professionals, 25 to 30 youths on a week long adventure at Nantahala Outdoor Center in North Carolina. The kids, ages 8 to 18, arrive from all over the United States and enjoy activities like white water rafting, tubing, water skiing, and bowling, in addition to the camaraderie and time spent with their peers. They also have an opportunity to meet and spend recreational time with the University of Tennessee football and basketball players.

Although Charlie seems to shy away from recognition, he has been acknowledged for service he has given over the years. In 2001, at the Amputee Coalition conference in Orlando, he was awarded the Amputee Coalition Volunteer of the Year Award. "I froze up and couldn't say anything," said Charlie. But he continued, "After I lost my leg, I got hooked on the Amputee Coalition. It's fantastic--what they do for amputees." Although it took some prying, I also learned from Charlie that he was the recipient of another award, in 1995, known as the "Volunteer 8 Award." This annual service award, presented by television channel 8 in Knoxville, recognized Charlie for his volunteerism in the community. Concerning the awards, Charlie says, "They surprised me. I don't need awards to do what I do."

Charlie's volunteer efforts extend well beyond the amputee community. For example, he is well known for his work on Project Witherspoon. Named after the owner of a radioactive dumpsite in South Knoxville, the project was housing PVC's, lead, mercury, and other radioactive materials. When the mother of Charlie's wife became ill and died from cancer, he flexed his political muscle and managed not only to shut the site down, but also get it cleaned up. Add to this his work in organizing a neighborhood watch and regularly volunteering to keep five miles of the Old Knoxville Highway free of trash, and you can easily see why Charlie thinks he isn't really retired.

Even though he has a gentle manner and soft- spoken voice, I'm convinced Charlie is quite powerful in the way he affects amputees and those who care about them by how he lives. "My life has been changed for the better," he says, "but I still have a lot of things to do and places to go. I'm not finished yet." While it's safe to say that Teddy Roosevelt didn't know Charlie Underwood, I think he must have had Charlie in mind when he mused about speaking softly and carrying a big stick.

Hats off to you Charlie! You're certainly living proof that what goes around, comes around--in the best sense of that adage!

Back to Table of Contents

Peer Visitation Q and A Forum

Dear Kathy,

Our support group is interested in scheduling peer visitation training. Could you please let us know how to go about doing this? Who should we contact and how is this arranged? Is there a long waiting list?

Thanks.

Judy

--------

Dear Judy,

Peer visitation training is scheduled directly through the Amputee Coalition office in Knoxville. The person coordinating training is Becky Bruce, Outreach Information Specialist. She can be reached at 888-267-5669, Ext. 8113 or at rbruce@amputee-coalition.org

The Amputee Coalition schedules an average of one peer visitation class per month. The training is without charge to the sponsoring group, however, the Amputee Coalition does ask that sponsorships for the cost of room space and lunch be arranged if possible. In advance of the workshop, Amputee Coalition requires that at least 15 persons be registered. Information is posted on its web site and informational mailings are sent. On site, Amputee Coalition asks that a volunteer coordinator arrange for set up and registration on the morning of the workshop. Also, each person attending the class will be asked to pay a $25.00 registration fee, which helps defray the costs of shipping handout materials and presenter travel. Please note that, while support groups often request and organize peer visitation training, requests may also be made by parties who are not necessarily organized as a support group, but do have an interest.

Those attending should be amputees who have successfully adjusted to life with limb loss, family members and/or significant persons in their lives, and health or medical professionals. The peer training seminar is not intended to teach interested individuals about amputation in general but is targeted to amputees who have completed their own journey through the adjustment process and are interested in helping others facing a similar situation. Thus, people with disabilities who are not amputees would not be good candidates for the Amputee Coalition peer visitation training. All participants have the option to request certification at the end of training. Certification is awarded by successful completion of a written exam as well as an evaluation by the workshop presenter.

That's all it takes, Judy. And I'm sure you can see from the previous article on Charlie Underwood, that becoming a peer visitor is a worthwhile endeavor for both the giver and the receiver. The current training schedule for the remainder of the year is listed below. As you can see, there are several open dates. Good luck with arranging your training session!

Peer Visitation Training Schedule for 2002

August 17: Lenexa, Kansas - LEAPS

September 28: Houston, TX - Details to be announced

If other support group leaders or peer visitation coordinators have information, advice and/or questions to share, please forward them by email directly to Kathy Spozio at mermaid@usachoice.net.