impatient

[Kevin & Rhonda Wixom]

Sorry all, one more comment.  I agree with Duncan - you can't ultimately judge yourself by someone else's standard.  Don't be "unhappy" because you can't do something that someone else thinks you should do.   But, I've seen so many people who were inspired to do more and achieve more themselves (and were ultimately happier) because they saw someone else doing something that they didn't think they could do.  That isn't something limited to amputees obviously.    

I just participated in a "challenged athletes" triathlon and I saw many people with disabilities participating in swimming, biking, running events.   2 years ago I wasn't an amputee and would not have participated in this.  This year, I'm an AKA and I did the swimming portion.  Next year, the biking too.   If the others I saw hadn't pushed for what they wanted to do, I wouldn't be as motivated.  Yes, lots of discussion about losing hide, brusing, blisters, troubles with prosthetics, etc., etc.   Focus on your goal, the other stuff is just in the way.   

Kevin

Well, almost done.  Gotta share one more thing with you all:  One of the runners (who, by the way, completed all three Triathlon events) is a BKA and supposedly was in a race in Germany and passed two "abled bodied" runners in a race.  As he went by, one of them said to the other, ".. challenged athlete, my ass..".  (excuse the language, but that was the quote).   I thought it was great!  :) 


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Duncan Love 
  To: Amputee Information Network 
  Sent: Monday, November 10, 2003 2:53 PM
  Subject: Re: impatient


  James
  This discussion around patience vs pushing through barriers has reminded me of  another important consideration when determining the amout of time spent getting into and onto your new leg - everyone is different in their physical and mental makeup as well as the extent of their illness/injury that led to the amputation. So when someone says it took 3 weeks or 5 weeks or how ever long to get onto their leg, that might be appropriate for them but not for someone else.

  Because of this, I feel that it is important not to compare one's progress to others, or feel that you are 'behind schedule'. Each person adapts to such a major life change in their own way - it is a significant loss and that affects people in a variety of ways. Just standing up and facing the world is a big achievement, but this can tend to get lost in the endless stories of wonderful things we amputees can do.

  Not every amputee is going to climb Chomolungma (Everest), nor run a marathon. To me, anyone who smiles and gets on with their life after such a tragic loss is a hero, even if they never get on to a leg.

  I think that I can see you smiling - and your are definately getting on with it!!!
  Duncan 

    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Rodger Oleson 
    To: Amputee Information Network 
    Sent: Tuesday, 11 November 2003 3:32
    Subject: Re: impatient


    James,  There's patience and then there's patience.  Like Kevin said you've gotta keep going,but as I mentioned earlier there's a difference in being brave and taking unnecessary chances.  Sure,persevere,but don't wear all the hide off your stump to get where you want to be.

    Ole rak
      ----- Original Message ----- 
      From: Kevin & Rhonda Wixom 
      To: Amputee Information Network 
      Sent: Sunday, November 09, 2003 11:59 PM
      Subject: Re: impatient


      Jim,

      Nah, don't be patient.  I wasn't and it was a good thing.  Having goals that seem to high isn't a bad thing.  But, you DO have to realize some things - like healing - just takes time.  You can strengthen muscles, you can learn how it works, you can do lots of things to move quickly, but the healing process moves along at it's own pace.   You can also make sure to talk to your CP as much as possible to get answers, more information and to have him/her make adjustments your leg.  There was lots of adjusting of my first socket and you don't want to short circuit that if all those changes are going to be integrated into your definitive socket.  But....  I wouldn't be too patient.   Push the limits and the lines.. that's the only way to get ahead of the game.  

      Quick story...  I'd had my first leg for 2 weeks and it was pistoning and wouldn't fit right and I was trying to walk to the car with my family using a cane.  I hadn't gotten 20 feet when it moved and hurt as I took a step.  I turned around, went back into the house and threw it on the floor it total disgust and anger.  Then, I thought, "..now what?  Are you going to learn to walk or not...".   I put it back on, went to the car and while I've been frustrated and angry at times, I've always used it to push ahead.  It could be really, really easy to give up and not push past those bad moments, and let them stop your progress.   They are the feedback that teaches you how to use the tool.  

      Good luck, keep pushing...  

      Kevin

        ----- Original Message ----- 
        From: James Street 
        To: Amputee Information Network 
        Sent: Sunday, November 09, 2003 9:22 PM
        Subject: Re: impatient


        Thanks to everyone for the encouragement.  I "know" I should be patient but then I'm not.  Thanks for reminding me.

        Jim
          ----- Original Message ----- 
          From: Wendi 
          To: Amputee Information Network 
          Sent: Sunday, November 09, 2003 12:51 PM
          Subject: impatient


          James,
          I too was very impatient.  I had a wedding to walk for and I WAS GONNA WALK DOWN THE ISLE.  I got a prosthesis a week before my wedding and that was after having trouble healing from the boat accident.  I did walk and then I went through PT  for 6 weeks.  walking most of this time with a cane .  I wheeled around at work in a wheelchair forever.  I too HATE the wheelchair and I HATE crutches.  neither one more or less than the other.  I KNOW I am very fortunate to be able to get around now with just my prosthesis and I absolutely despised anyone who told me "give it time"  but that is all you need to do.  Be VERY proud of yourself that you have done so much.  BUT it is like growing up all over again.  We just want to be an adult to act like a kid again.  Take it as easy as you can    and push when you just have to.  You will look back on a lot of this and it will just be a blur of the past.


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