Hello from a New Amputee

[Jon Mankowski]

Hi Chastity,
    I am so sorry you are having such a difficult time right now.  My
husband, who is an above the knee amputee, forwarded your message from the
Amputee Information Network.   I did a quick search on the 'net, and believe
that cosmetic restoration ( a cosmetic prosthesis) for your shoulder is
quite possible.  Hangar Orthotics at www.hangar.com has an upper extremity
program, both for functional and cosmetic restoration.  If you are not
working with a prosthetist right now, it would be a good idea to find one.

Where are you located?  Is it possible that you could find an older woman,
perhaps a teacher, guidance counselor or someone from your church, to help
you learn to select clothes and makeup?  Or, perhaps your area has a Big
Brothers and Sisters program where you could find a woman friend?   I know
that men can be fairly clueless about matters such as clothes, makeup and
hair, so it's no wonder that your Dad is little help.

I too live in a very remote area - up in the mountains of northern
California, thirty miles from town.  I do a lot of shopping for clothes
through catalogs and on the Internet.  There is an amazing variety of
resources out there, so please stick with it.

You sound like a wonderful young woman with a lot of strength to get through
your difficulties.  If I can be any help, please let me know.

Mary Mankowski