Ten-year-old Alex Locust of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and 17-year-old Craig Pratka of Yaphank, New York, recently went out of their way to help other young amputees deal with their fears, concerns and lack of information about amputation.

Alex, who was born with only one leg, believes that one person can make a difference in the world, and he has set out to prove it. He swims every year in an event to raise money for kids with cancer and recently volunteered to visit a 2- year-old amputee, who had lost her leg in a lawnmower accident.

"Katie had already been through a lot and she is just 2 years old," Alex says. "I wanted to talk to her so that she would know that she is not the only kid who has to put her leg on in the morning and then take it off at night. I wanted to be her friend."

Alex says the visit he and his mother, Lori, made to Katie’s house went great. "Katie was very shy in the beginning but later on she wanted to do everything. The family was curious about my leg, so I showed it to them and explained a little bit about how it works. We talked about how I was born this way and why I needed to use my ‘helper leg.’ We also told the family about ASPIRE (an amputee support group for youths).

"Her mother told my mom that it was good to see someone older than Katie do the things that I am able to do. We only live about 15 minutes apart, and I just want Katie to know I am here as she gets older," Alex says, adding that he plans to keep in touch with the whole family.

"I am very, very proud of Alex," Lori says. "When Alex was born, we did not actively seek out support from others in our situation. We felt the need to focus on Alex and his needs and, to be honest, I did not put a lot of stock in support groups. I felt that if I attended such meetings, I would be admitting that there was ‘something wrong’ with Alex, and I have never felt that way. I see now what a difference that connecting with people in similar situations can make and, hopefully, we will be able to continue this in the future."

Craig, whose right leg was amputated above the knee a few years ago after an accident, was recently told about a 15-year-old named Luke who had also had his right leg amputated above the knee as the result of an accident. Luke had contacted the ACA about talking with other amputees, and Craig readily volunteered to call him. "I am always willing to share my story with new amputees and answer questions, no matter how ridiculous they may seem to the person asking," he says.

Craig enjoys running and skiing and has won several medals in sports. "Since Luke showed interest in living a normal life and athletics," Craig says, "I recommended he look into getting a hydraulic knee and Flex-Foot combination, which is what I presently have. Also, because he was about to start driving, I explained to him how to drive a car with his left leg and went over the basics like taking showers, how high the socket goes up, swimming, phantom pains and girls."

Craig and Alex both believe that their efforts were helpful, and they both intend to continue giving peer support to those in need.

"At the end of the phone call," Craig says, "Luke seemed more excited about getting a new leg and most of his questions were answered."

Alex and Craig are giving their young peers something that their parents, friends and healthcare workers cannot – living proof that they, too, can live normal and happy lives despite the loss of a limb. And that’s what peer support is all about.

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