inMotion Magazine

Finding Strength 3 Living life to the fullest is challenging in today’s world – for those with limb loss, the physical challenges are even greater. There is a long learning curve after an amputation. Relearning and performing basic functions that you once took for granted can be challenging. It can take several months to gain full use of a new prosthetic limb. You may have to use crutches or a wheelchair to get around until then, or you may choose not to use a prosthesis. Although it is certainly possible to regain function after an amputation and live life as you were used to, until you can learn new habits, your safety may be at risk. Since it takes time to get used to a prosthesis and sometimes requires multiple adjustments for fit, simple tasks may become obstacles that are much more difficult or even dangerous to navigate for a while. However, the most difficult barriers to overcome can be the ones in your mind. Although fear and pain are unpleasant experiences, they are healthy devices that protect us from danger, alerting us to be careful and to avoid doing something that may cause harm. However, when fear of the unknown causes new experiences to be avoided, we stop growing. The more a feared situation is avoided, the scarier it becomes. Alternately, each time we do something we fear and experience success, it becomes easier. But confronting and challenging fear is one of the most difficult tasks anyone can face. The way to learn to overcome these perceived obstacles is by recognizing that you’re still basically the same person inside that you were before the amputation. Successful adjustment is achieved by learning to do the things you enjoyed before (even if you have to learn to do them differently) and seeing yourself as a whole person who just happens to have a missing body part. The focus should no longer be on what’s gone, but on the future. The journey to reclaiming your life isn’t easy. Rehabilitation after an amputation can be filled with many intimidating challenges. But finding the courage to do what you fear can help you attain levels of ability that you never thought possible. I have become strong and resilient, as is the case of almost every human being exposed to life and to the world. We don’t even know how strong we are until we are forced to bring that hidden strength forward. ~Isabel Allende, Chilean-American writer Editor’s Message FINDING STRENGTH ~ Bill Dupes, Editor-in-Chief Confront Your Fear