The Power of Peers

You may have recently undergone amputation surgery, had a child born with a congenital limb difference, or just learned that one or more of your limbs must be amputated. It is certainly a time of high stress, anxiety, fear and confusion.

As you begin your journey, some doubts and questions may come to mind regarding your or your child's future - doubts and questions about working, raising a family, maintaining a relationship, caring for yourself or your child, and accomplishing basic daily living activities. Other questions may be more technical or focused on immediate concerns: Is the pain terrible? How long will I or my child be in the hospital? Will it hurt a lot after the surgery? How does the artificial limb stay on?

So where do you turn for information, guidance and emotional support to assist you through the myriad questions, decisions, choices and alternatives you will face as you enter this new path in life? Who can give you insight into the world you have entered and demonstrate that life goes on and can again become happy, full and productive? In many cases, only another amputee or person with a congenital limb difference who has experienced a similar situation, had similar questions, and faced similar decisions can really provide the answers you need. That is the power of peers.

Peers come in many different forms and at various times throughout our lives. They are friends, neighbors, family members and others we turn to for help along the way. They provide support, assistance, guidance, information, resources and, most importantly, at times, an ear to listen to our deepest fears and concerns. They listen and offer knowledge from their own experience so that we might learn valuable lessons without making the same mistakes and so that we might gain confidence in our own ability to make sound decisions. When we are faced with a life-altering event such as amputation or a congenital limb difference, a peer with a similar background brings extremely valuable insight to the new situation. By speaking to another person who has gone through similar circumstances and made the adjustment successfully, you can begin to unravel the knots of fear, doubt, worry and confusion that have you tied up and questioning whether or not life will ever be enjoyable and productive again.

A peer visit from an experienced amputee can be most helpful before amputation surgery. A peer can answer your questions regarding such issues as postoperative pain, mobility, prosthetics and adaptive devices, supply information on services you may require after your release from the hospital, and help you identify local resources to assist you. A peer visit can also help alleviate your feeling of being alone in your situation with no one to talk to who can truly understand you and your feelings. Full understanding of the amputation experience and recovery process is intrinsic to the amputee. Peers help new amputees jump-start their transition to a new life by sharing information, by serving as models of success, and by offering understanding and support.

If you are interested in speaking with another amputee, ask the members of your healthcare team if they can connect you with someone. If they are not aware of any peer visitors, locate an amputee support group in your community that may have volunteers who are available to visit with you and offer their support and encouragement.

Local amputee support groups are a valuable form of peer support. These groups are a great resource for any amputee, whether you are a new amputee looking for networking opportunities and information or an experienced amputee who has come full circle and are interested in sharing your experience with those just beginning their journey. Because support groups may have several members, they have the ability to offer amputees different experiences and viewpoints. Group members may have lost their limbs for many different reasons, may use various types of prosthetic equipment or adaptive devices, and may be able to suggest various approaches to the same problem. Most groups offer educational/informational meetings with guest speakers who can address various topics of concern to amputees, and they often have an open forum for people to ask questions, discuss issues and ask for input from other members. Many groups have books, videos and written material available that cover a wide range of subjects related to limb loss. Support groups offer a new amputee the chance to gain the experience, confidence and skills necessary to move forward through the rehabilitation process.

Whether your peer contact comes from an individual or a local amputee support group, the benefits are extraordinary. Peers can also serve as a model of success for others involved in the lives of new amputees and provide them with the same knowledge and experience they do amputees. They assist amputees and all of these other individuals while, in turn, helping them also become models of success. That is the power of peers.

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