Limb amputation interferes with getting on with life, a situation that can be compounded by the false conceptions of people who have never experienced amputation or been closely associated with someone who has. Most people tend to believe that a person loses a limb, gets a prosthesis, and everything is fine. The first task of new amputees, their families, and friends may be to learn that it is not so easy.

© Amputee Coalition. Local reproduction for use by Amputee Coalition constituents is permitted as long as this copyright information is included. Organizations or individuals wishing to reprint this article in other publications, including other World Wide Web sites must contact the Amputee Coalition for permission to do so.