October 6, 2006 a night I will never forget. Driving to my parents home at 2 am to look for my father that had left the house in the night confused and I never made it there. In a moment my life was changed forever. Someone had parked their minivan in the middle of the road and left it in the dark with no lights flashing. When I came upon it all I had time to do was brace myself and tell God I wasn't ready to die yet. After hitting the van and ending up in the woods on a telephone pole, i sat there for about 20 minutes before someone found me. It wasn't until I was in the Emergency Room that the pain of my leg hit full force. Three months later, I was starting to walk on my surgically screwed together ankle. Five surgeries and three years later, I had my leg amputated below the knee. On July 6th, 2009. In September I received my first prosthetic leg. I cried.

For three years, I was in and out of surgery, surgical boots, orthotics and pain. Three weeks after my amputation, I was able to stop taking all my pain medications. I really don't experience phantom pain just an electrical feeling. I am still going to physical therapy, and sometimes I fall but knowing what our military young men and women have gone through with their prosthetics I feel fortunate that we have had the advancements in orthopedic surgery and prosthetics that I can get around as well as I can.

I probably would have been really angry had I had my leg amputated that night in the Emergency Room, and sometimes I wonder why I had to go through three years of trying to save my ankle but now I wonder why I waited so long to be pain free. Its just a new challenge and one I am grateful to have.

Life does go on with an amputated limb, it may not be what we had thought our life should be like, but maybe it will be better. Recently, I had overdone my day, I was tired. I took my leg off. I turned around to my friend and I said, "well at least when I get tired, I can take it off, you just stay sore". We laughed.

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No Words can ever fully describe my experience

She was drunk, driving on the wrong side of the freeway headed straight at Me in the southbound lanes of the Rosarito Toll Road that late afternoon. Paula Jean Brown was so intoxicated that she had entered the freeway going in the wrong direction. She didn't know what day it was and later bought her way out of jail after paying a fine. She got away with a cut on her nose that fateful afternoon of April 28,1988. I on the other hand, did not.

Oh God, No!! I cried and in a split second, leaned and yanked the steering wheel as hard as I could to the right. Crumpling metal, glass shattering and squealing tires is what I heard. I became engulfed in indescribable fear as the steering wheel was ripped from my grasp and we careened spinning off the highway. My car finally came to rest in a field along the freeway in a field of weeds. My friend was already out of the car, running to see the condition of person in the other vehicle. I began checking myself for injuries as my head cleared from the initial shock. I remember the impact and the inability to breath as the wind was knocked out of me. I was ripped open and bleeding under the left arm extending across my breast and my feet were in really bad shape as both shoes where knocked off my feet. I never lost consciousness during the impact. As you can see the drivers side was sheered off where I was seated. I was assisted out of the wreck by my friend, another man who stopped, and his wife who got a blanket to lay me on from their trunk. Bless that couple!!

As people stopped along the roadside to stare, the Ambulance finally arrived after what seemed like an eternity. I was strapped to the gurney, feeling rather like a broken rag doll at this point, then lugged up to the roadside for my ride. I was taken to the nearest Red Cross facility in Rosarito, Baja California, Mexico. The assistant nurse did her best to anesthetize me prior to the medic cleaning and stitching me up under my arm. There was a lot of difficulty getting an IV started as Shock had begun to set it. I was finally finished when they wheeled me outside and down the block to the Hospital. The April air felt crisp and I could see the sky blaze orange and reds above me as the day gave way to night. My friend said, "I'm going to make phone calls to get you back across the border ASAP." Thankfully he sustained only a small scratch on his arm and needed no medical attention. He spoke fluent Spanish and English thus serving as a valuable translator.

Once the Physician on duty reviewed my x-rays he called in an Orthopedic Specialist from Ensenada. He would not release me until he reviewed my case. The ER nurse had placed me in an isolated bed behind drawn curtains and attempted to remove my clothing, bless her heart, because I kept slapping her hands away. As time wore on I began slipping in and out of consciousness, and I could hear people talking and knew when I was being touched and moved but I could not respond. Once the Specialist arrived he reviewed my case and urged, "Get her home, there is nothing I can do for her, and hurry She's going into Shock."

In the meantime, in order to be sure the Hospital would get their money (300.00 US dollars), my friend who had arrived left her car as collateral to secure my release. Had she not agreed to this I'm not sure I'd be alive today. I was loaded into the ambulance and told I was going home. I remember the pain from the bumpy road north to the border town of Tijuana and eventually blackness overcame me. The ambulance doors were opened by the Border Patrol Check and he asked me if I knew who I was, where I was born, if I was a U.S. Citizen, and what had happened to me. All this before he would allow me to be moved to the other unit and then into the United States and home.

He closed the doors and everything faded until cold night air awoke me when wheeled into an ER room in Chula Vista. Asked all kinds of questions, chastised for being in Mexico and told I had nothing to cry about. I was informed I couldn't be treated because I was still a military dependant and I didn't have life threatening injuries, though I was in serious shock. I was sitting in the hallway waiting for x-rays and I kept hearing someone scream. It was getting loud and I glanced around to see who it was. I realized in my searching that I was hearing my own. from within...

I was bundled up put in yet another ambulance to be transferred to the Military Hospital. I was glad when the rocking of the unit stopped as the pain was searing and harsh. The early morning air was colder yet! When they opened the doors of the ambulance for the final ride it was nearly 3:30am, 11+ hours since the wreck. I was asked more questions in triage and I told the guy he was really getting on my nerves! He just laughed and said, 'Good' I'm doing my job." I learned later he was designated to keep me awake while they reopened, cleaned and sutured my wound and closely record my level of shock. After treating my open wound they reset my dislocated ankle and began to address the closed fracture of my heel. I will never forget the look of sadness and uncertainty in the attending physicians eyes when I asked him if I was going to lose my foot but I knew the answer, I later did in 2004...

Near Death

I was in complete darkness and then, there was a Light all over, in and around me. I became a part of bright, pure Light that was soothing and warmed me to the core. It was as though the Light and I were one and yet separate, flowing in and out somehow. I was also very aware I was not alone either. I felt No pain which amazed me because I was recalled my body was badly hurt. I thought wait a minute, No pain? how could that be! Can I feel the memory of it? I remembered events, yes, but there was no palpable response to the memory. Where was I?! I looked at my body but there was no form in a physical sense as we know it. I heard a voice rise slowly, faint at first then clear, deep and soothing as it began to resonate within me. Am I hearing it with my ears? No, but the more I hear the voice the calmer I feel and it was nothing like I'd ever heard before... All feelings of fear left me and my thoughts quieted. My spirit was calm and at ease. This was so Great !! I wasn't aware I was dead, nor where I was, I just knew I was painless. That was enough for me. :) I have no idea what was being said I just know how I felt.

The second time, I 'went' for the Light as it came. I was floating and I could hear and feel the soothing vibration of the voice speaking to me. I felt so unencumbered and weightless in spirit. Yet, as foreign as this seemed, I felt safe and secure as never before. Then, I heard No, Not yet, as two hands, one on each side of me, gently pushed me back. I did not want to leave. Please, No! Let me stay!, the response was, "Not yet." That was the last I saw of the 'Light' or heard of the voice.

When I asked to speak to someone about what I saw I was told that it was the meds, and because of level of injury and shock, it was all in my head. I was being told what I saw was a lie and that made me to feel I was mentally unstable for what I claimed to have experienced. I became afraid and told no one for a very long time. I know with all my being that I was shown something very special, I was blessed to know that I am never alone, nor are any of us and that there is so much more that is greater than we could ever imagine!

What I learned from my Near Death Experiences

*I'll never be Whole if I believe I'm Less *
*My nearest helping hand is at the end of my own arm *
*I am not defined by the sum of my parts *

In three weeks time I became a divorced, disabled, jobless, homeless, single parent. I didn't know how I was going to care for my daughter, work and provide shelter for us both. It was hard for her to understand what happened, let alone that I may never fully recover, after all she was only 4 at the time. I lost the ability to walk, became fearful of being in crowds, and loud noises startled me. I was rarely sleeping and I couldn't stop the nightmares of seeing the twisted metal and hearing the impact. It's been a test, yet in the lows and darkest of moments there has been deep abiding Hope, and through that I found the will to keep going.

*Forgiveness beings with Me*
I wrote a letter to the woman a year after the wreck. I mailed that letter a full year later and it's never been returned to me. Every piece of mail sent to her before that was returned with, 'Person not at this Address' written on it. Nothing can ever bring back what used to be, but it was up to me how I chose to live now. As unjust and unbelievably painful as this ordeal is, I'm not willing to let it define who I am or will be.

Had I died in the wreck, I would not know the joys of life with my husband, received a college diploma, watched my daughter graduate high school, become a Nationally ranked stunt kite flier and now Triathlete and LA Marathoner. This and much more would have been lost had I given up. I've been broken in more ways than I can count and pushed beyond more than I thought I could ever endure. I've had dreams shattered and live to make new ones.

my website

http://www.ratzilla.com/stelerhawk

First of all I wish to say that I am sorry that you experienced the devastation that you did. I send my prayers that all who survived this earthquake will grow in strength and courage. The people, doctors, nurses, and all the other help are giving of their own time and effort and there will be a special place in HEAVEN for all of them

My adventure started over two years ago when I went in for what I thought would be a routine knee revision, a procedure to replace an already existing artificial knee. Three months after that surgery I developed an infection in the leg and had to have several surgeries (5 total) over that two year period.

The last surgery I had done in Nevada was supposed to be the last surgery and I was supposed to walk on my leg again with a new knee joint in place. I left that state and was moving across country with my daughter and her family since her husband had been offered a job in North Carolina. We ended up living in South Carolina.

I was here for less than two weeks when I started having issues with my leg again. Not only was the knee hurting but I had an open wound on the lower leg which just did not want to heal either. I went to a doctor here who sent me to a wound care clinic but I never made it there. I ended up in the emergency room of a local hospital where I was looked at by a doctor that I will say saved my life. He examined the knee during a surgery and told me he could not believe the damage that had been done to my knee in the two previous years.

The decision was made the next morning to remove the leg well above the knee. My amputation was made midway up my thigh. I knew towards the end that I may lose the leg and did everything to prepare my family for this possibility. My grandchildren all handled the situation very well and they were 9 and 6 at the time. The fact that they were there for me made the situation all that much better and easier to accept. I woke from the surgery and noticed a great relief in my body as I was no longer fighting an infection and I felt 100% better for the surgery.

I have been through some therapy and have been fitted with a prosthesis which I have been wearing now for 5 months and I do feel like I am making progress towards getting along without the aide of crutches or a walker. My family continues to support my efforts and my grandkids climb on the leg just like it was the real thing.

This surgery saved my life and I thank God for his help in my life. I thank the doctor and all the people involved in the surgery because he and his staff wanted to make sure that I would be OK. The whole idea of losing a limb is very intimidating but one has to know that the alternatives are not all that pleasant. God put us all on this planet for a reason. He did not foresee all of the tragic things that may come into our lives but I do believe that HE is guiding the hands and the hearts of the people who are there to help you and please know that you will be OK and maybe even better for the procedure.

May GOD BLESS you all and take care of you in HIS HEART.

I too suffered sudden amputation. Not from trauma as so many have but from a blood clot from my heart to my foot. To this day, physicians do not know what caused it. I was a wife, mother and professional case manager. The only thing that kept me going was looking toward my long term goals and how fast I could accomplish returning to my old life. I refused to think of myself as disabled and sat on the floor and scooted around to dust my furniture before I was able to wear a prosthesis. Many friends prayed for me as I am praying for all of you in Haiti. There is life after amputation and if you get up each morning and think only of what you can accomplish that day, life will get better.

It was January 2000 and I went into the hospital for a right knee replacement surgery, I came out and left the hospital returning 15 days later with MRSA a staph infection. I went through 2 years of agonizing surgeries to try and get rid of the infection. I was confined to a wheelchair. I was on 24/7 antibiotics and suffered over those two years with deteriorating health. Finally, after unsuccessfully getting rid of MRSA my doctor came to me and asked me what I wanted to do. I had 2 years to think of what life would be like without my leg and was convinced that I would regain better health if I had my leg amputated. So, in December 23, 2002 I had my right leg amputated above the knee. I have no regrets other than I wished I had my leg amputated sooner. Today I choose to use a power chair for mobility and get around very well. I tried a prosthesis, but I never have gotten a good fit and being over-weight doesn't help either. I went through a divorce from a woman that wasn't able to handle my being disabled. Today, I have met somebody that excepts me for who I am and I am moving from Alabama next month to join her in Iowa. We have even closed on a house that is fully handicapped accessible. I volunteer and even helped built a house with Habitat for Humanity and serve as a peer visitor with ACA. There is life out there for an amputee, unless you choose to bury your head in the sand and do nothing to help yourself or others.

April 26,2003 I was riding my motorcycle on a back country road when another motorcycle came at me on a curve on the wrong side of the road, striking me head – on. As soon as I flipped over the handlebars and landed in the ditch I raised up and asked God to help me now and to send help. My left leg was hurt and turned the wrong way, but I was not in much pain. I didn’t get knocked out, I had my helmet and leathers on. Know other injuries seamed to be other than my leg. I looked for the other man who hit me, he was laying face down in the pavement in a pool of blood not moving , with no helmet. That’s when two nurses jumped out of a car and began to help both of us and called 911. I called them our angels.

Within 20 minutes they had two life-flight helicopters there with EMTs. We were 25 miles from the nearest trauma hospital. I have not been able to understand why such a peace and calmness came over me other than God had prepared me for this time in my life. I knew I was ok and just had a broken leg. In 6 weeks or so I would be good to go again.

Two weeks passed in the hospital & rehab was going good. I was able to witness with others on the same floor I was on. The man that hit me was alive and doing better with a head injury, broken arm. God had saved him to. I was not mad or upset with what happened. I was just thankful to be alive and the other man was going to live as well.

The Saturday morning at the end of two weeks I was to go home. Trudy came and loaded all the things in my room and was waiting for the doctor’s to release me we were planning what I would be able to do when I got home. The nurse came in a said I had a fever and the doctors would be in to talk with me. Trudy looked at me and I had been so up beat that morning that I didn’t know I had a fever. We sat and prayed to let God know we were thankful and that this was another time of trusting and being patent. The doctor said that I was not going home and more test needed to be done to make sure of no infection was in my leg. Two days later after de breading my leg three times the doctor said they would have to amputate my left leg above the knee to save my life. Wow!!! What now God am I to do!

Trudy called my Pastor and family for prayer. The surgeon came in the next morning and wanted me to sign release forms so they could take my leg off. It was early and my best friend was there and didn’t know what they were going to do. He watched as I signed the forms and I said thank you to the surgeon as he left the room . Trudy was on her way in when Billy said do know what you just signed for them to do to you ? I said yes and God is going to take care of me . Again the peace and calmness came over me and Trudy . The God of comfort was there in the room with us . The nurse was in to make sure I was taking it ok and I asked how soon would it be done . In three hours later I was short one leg , but had an unspeakable joy about me that only God can give you . I was alive and still here to praise Him and give Him thanks.

Later that night after the amputation the same nurse that seen me that morning came in my room after her shift was over and asked if I was ok . She said in her many years of nursing she had never seen a person go through what I did and not be upset with God and the world . At first she thought the pain medicine had kept me calm , but by now she said she could see Gods spirit in me comforting me in my time of need. She asked me how to get this faith of believing and trusting God with your whole mind & body. I prayed with her before she left to go home . I believe God will use you when you let go and let God.

Four days after getting home from the hospital , I got a call from Ohio Willow Wood Company who makes legs for amputees all over the world . They are headquartered in my home town and I didn’t know they had a test patent program . They wanted to know if I would interested in being a test patent for them . Is this a God send ? I said yes and after three months of being fitted and learning to walk again I went back to work at John Deere Co. My recovery has been faster than most from what I know now . They said most amputees take 8 months to a year to recover and then most don’t go back to work . God has a plan for my life and as I decrease and let Him increase in my life he takes me to higher expectations in helping others giving them the same comfort He has given me.

I have not slowed down much since my amputation. God has given me a tool to use to help others that have gone through traumas . I have bought another motorcycle with sidecar and God has let me use that as well to reached others for Him . I have been active in 2006 riding a bicycle across America for two months with Amputees Across America for 3500 miles. In doing so I have peer counseled with 3000 + people in rehab centers across America. From L.A. to Florida. My love for God , family and church has given me a greater outlook on life . I know I need to share how God can help you overcome a trauma of this kind and help others regain the determination it takes to live a fulfilling life in Christ. We now have a ministry called www.castministries.org to help other with limb loss .

I am also a member of the Amputee Coalition of America and ACA Peer Visitor .

2 Corinthians chapter 1 verses 3-7

Philippians chapter 4 verse 13

Romans chapter 8 verse 18

Romans chapter 12 verses 1-21

Your Brother in Christ. Gary Summers

Reggie Showers has been an avid bike rider since the age of 10. He honed his riding skills tearing around the courses and dirt paths in and near Philadelphia, his hometown. He was a typical kid enjoying a typical childhood.

In 1978, on Memorial day, when Reggie was 14, his life took a nightmarish turn. While playing with friends near a railroad yard that day, he scaled an abandoned railroad car. When he reached the top, he was suddenly hit by a powerful jolt of electricity that had arced down from an overhead power line. His body was instantly scarred by second and third degree burns, but the worst part was yet to come. A few days after the accident, doctors were forced to amputate both of Reggie's legs below the knees. The electrical current, as it exited from his body, had left his legs too burned to save.

Reggie not being one to shy away from a challenge, emerged from a summer of physical therapy determined to overcome the nightmarish events of that fateful day, and lead a full life. He surprised his teachers and classmates by easing back into school that fall without the aid of crutches or a cane. It wasn't long after that the determined young man began to ride a motorcycle.

At the age of 19 Reggie participated in, and won his first drag race. That victory hooked him, so much so that he decided to pursue a career in motorcycle racing. In 1988 he reached the professional level and in 1989 he was named Pro Rookie of the Year. Now the Pro Stock racer holds 14 world records and 2 world championships.

In 2000, Reggie secured sponsorship that allowed him to compete in the NHRA, National Hot Rod Association’s Pro Stock Motorcycle class. In 2003, at the US Nationals in Indianapolis Indiana, NHRA’s most prestigious event, Reggie won both the class championship, as well as the “All Star” K&N Filter’s Klash. Only 4 riders in the 20 year class history have accomplished the incredible “double up” win!

Besides being a motorcycle racer, Reggie is an accomplished pilot, holding ratings for single and multi engine aircraft. As an Amputee Coalition of America (ACA) Certified Peer Visitor, Reggie has visited with hundreds of new amputees across Amercia, inspiring them to overcome their disabilities and live a full life. He has worked with the Shriners Hospitals of America, and has visited with our nation’s wounded heroes at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

Reggie’s ability, attitude and charisma have helped him easily attain role model status. He travels the country visiting high schools and rehab centers, sharing his story with young people, hoping to instill in their minds a “never-say-die” attitude. Listening to Reggie’s inspirational story, one realizes that anything is possible and that dreams can come true.

Hang in there. This is just a pot hole or bump in the road. Although the future may appear bleak now the sun will rise tomorrow. It may take extra thought to do many of the things that you took for granted.

You are still master of your destiny. Remember you are not alone and there are others that want to help. Do not be bashful to ask for help but do it so that you can reestablish yourself to help others. The future is yours. What shall you do with it?

I hope to visit this summer to help.

Best wishes,

Chris Casteel, MS(orthotics and prosthetics), RTO

Prosthetic Resident

Left above knee amputee, trauma 1988

In December of 2006 I went to bed feeling tired. The next day I could not wake up so my daughter called the ambulance. I remember being put in the ambulance and then I want out of consciousness. When I woke up in January of 2007 my hands and feet had been amputated due to meningococcal virus which caused gangrene. That was three years ago now and I have progressed to the point of being able to do most things that I did before just differently. I have `prosthetic arms is much easier to use my existing limbs. I do use the prosthetic legs however so that I can walk around. I cannot compare my amputations to yours because my was due from an illness and I had a hospital to attend to me. Your amputations are much more serious and devastating.
My heart goes out to each and every one of you who suffer limb loss. It is devastating and very difficult to adapt to. But I would like to offer some words of encouragement to you. Every day that goes by you will find yourself a little stronger, a little more eager to do the things that make you happy. Losing a limb is like losing a family member and you have to go through the grieving process. But there is light at the end of the tunnel and you will be fine one day. My strength came from my background of a loving Christian family. With faith in God, I will pray for your healing process.

The Healing Formula has helped many to avoid amputation and continues to help many amputies to deal with wound care issues. You can learn more at www.healingformula.com and you can see us at The Abilities Expo in Los Angeles April 9-11 at the LA Convention Center.

4 years ago I lost my leg to a blood clot,I understand what the people in Haiti are going through, when you are poor and do not have resources, it is especially hard to lose a part of yourself that was relied upon to help you feel independent. But here is truth, life is a blessing and I am glad to be alive and to be able to walk w/ the prosthetic and to do almost all of the things I did before. It is not easy as I was just a regular person like some of you, but keep the faith and take each day as it comes, by and by you will feel better and have hope for the future. Strength will come as you need it and God will bless your life!

I am 88 years young! At age 52 I lost my left leg above the knee from arterial disease.

Since then, I have gotten around on an artificial leg. Over the years I have had to get fitted for new legs, and never had a place to give my perfectly good used leg possibly to someone less fortunate than me. That is until now. I read an article about "physicians for peace" in my local paper. They are asking for artificial legs and all sorts of things to help the people of Haiti.

This was like the biggest blessing in my life! So my dear friend in Haiti, who ever you may be, I am sending you my leg in hopes that you will one day walk again and live life to the fullest. And let us not forget to THANK the "physicians for peace" for the work they continue to do for all mankind. They are also the "heroes" in our country and beyond.

My best friend is a double amputee, with both left arm and leg completely removed. He doesn't seem to notice this much. He is successful at his job, flies airplanes, and hunts big game as a hobby! It only goes to show that a person can't let things keep him/her down. Life WILL continue no matter what, so you shouldn't stop for anything.

great letters people!,well done!,..yes I too am an amputee,ten srgeries and 2 years after breaking my leg it was off below the knee,I will admit that the first year was tough,lots of pain,learning,and yes sorrow,but moving on is one of my creeds,we can not! change the past,only the now,maybe? and the future!,..I hunt,I fish,I walk daily[painfull as it is at times I do it anyways]in fact most people who know me do not know I am an amp,I dont hide it I just dont make a big deal of it,..I do practicly everything now and in some things more than I did before,ride motorcycles,drive whatever,swim,and much more,..so,you newbies,some advice from us old farts,..get up and get going!,right now!,push your physical edge right to the limit every day of your life,be positive and positive things will happen for you,whenyou hit the wall?? stop! whatever you are doing and come back to it later when you can,..dont let others get you into doing anything that is too much for you,peer pressure can be dangerous at times,.you! can do it!,..as Terry Fox said so well;"I just wish people would realise that anything is possible...if you try!"..."do try! you will amaze yourself and everyone around you!!,..carpe diem!!,and ..SIC PARVIS MAGNA!,..indeed!!,ps,Teery Fox? tough kid he was!!..very! tough!,and you think you have it bad??..look up him and see what can be...if you try!!

In 1989 I was 17 years old when I lost my arm in a serious car accident. I should have died that night but I believe that it was through the many prayers of family and friends that carried me through. Over the last 20 years I have had many people try to place limitations on me by predetermining what I can and cannot do. This has been frustrating from time to time but I will not let it hold me back. I do not feel that I have anything to prove. I just want to live my life to its fullest. I am a father of four energetic children. I have worked for years as a custom cabinet builder and I am currently in a management position with an appliance company. I continue to enjoy playing softball, golfing and riding motorcycle. There have been times of depression and self pity but over those times I have learned to focus on what I have rather than what I do not have. My favorite Bible verse is Philipians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". May God bless you over these trying times.

I have been an upper arm amputee for over 19 years now. Ever since I lost my arm in a horrific accident, I no longer took life for granted. I took on every challenge regardless of what other people told me. I always listened to my heart and went for whatever interested me. Amputee or not, I feel like there is nothing I can not do. I can’t stress enough how crucial it is for us amputees to have a very optimistic and can do attitude. We may have lost our limbs but we are still the same people. There is nothing we can not do. Don't let you amputation become an excuse. Live out you dreams and when ever you feel a self pity creeping in think about the other people who have it worse than you. Trust me, it will cheer you up. Work with what you have got and make the best out of it.

My website:amputeefitness.com

In 1972, I was diagnosed with Osteogenic Sarcoma or bone cancer in my left knee. I was 12 years old at the time, my parents going through a divorce and being told that I had 20 percent chance of survival after they amputated my left leg, above the knee.

38+ years later and countless prosthesis later I'm proud and blessed to tell that I'm doing great. I've been happily married for over 25 years. I have 3 great kids that are all doing very well. I've been blessed to be able to have some of the best prosthetics on the market. I currently have the latest technology in the C-Leg. Absolutely fantastic. At 50 yrs old, I'm able to continue to do most anything I want to. My leg does NOT stop me for doing anything I want to do. I remember when I came home from the hospital, back in 1972 I was depressed, angry and didn't care much about wearing an artificial leg. Then Floyd Patterson, the youngest and FIRST heavyweight boxing champion to regain the championship visited me at my home. He said to me, David I'm going to tell you something, I want you to listen closely, when I'm done I'm going to leave. Well, I thought to myself, I have to listen, I'm not going to argue with a Heavyweight Boxing Champion, so I listen to what he said. Floyd sat on the edge of my bed and said, "David, I've been knocked down more than any boxer in the history of boxing, but never been knocked out. So, that must mean that I've gotten up more than any boxer in the history of Boxing". With that, he got up and left my room. I sat there thinking about what he said and it became very clear to me. It was time for me to stop being depressed and angry and time for me to Get Up and get back to living my young life. It wasn't much longer after that brief story that I was walking on two legs, learning to ride my bicycle and do the things that most all young boys want to do. As I reached high school age I was playing baseball, soccer, basketball, football and most any other sports I could. When I graduated from High School I starting working and going to a community college. Then in 1978 I started my 30yr career with IBM, met my wife and led a normal life. As I look back, all I ever wanted was to be normal, be like everybody else. Do the things that most everybody else did and lead a normal life. I have been blessed and I try to give back and encourage other amputees.

I believe GOD kept me alive for a reason, I believe GOD has a plan for all of us, including you. What will you do with your life ? how will you overcome this and what will you do to show the world that you may have been knocked down, but it is time for you to GET UP ! Show the world that you CAN OVERCOME and lead a normal life. May GOD bless you.

To learn alittle more about me, checkout my linkedin website at

http://www.linkedin.com/in/davidingraham

Let's get real.  Is it really going to do anything in the long run?  She and so many others were doomed the day they were born to suffer from their own nation's corruption and ineptitude.  god, certainly, help them everyone.  But it is up to their country to build an infrastructure, complete with medical services.

they do not have to worry for we will for sure take care of them before we take care of out own people. you do not believe that? your fine president wants our heroes to buy their own insurance even though they are fighting for this country.

I lost my left foot when I was 5 years old to a lawnmower accident in 1957. The Dr's then in said I would never have the correct balance to walk right. I proved them wrong by becoming an Ironworker walking the high steel on skyscrapers. I have also erected 1000ft Towers. It will only stop you if you let it and do not believe in yourself. I do all of this without the use of a prostetic.

This opportunity to communicate with Haitians at this time, lets us feel like we are contributing in a very small way. So many people want to help, but the devastation is so great in Haiti and that make the delivery of health care and other needed services difficult.

In 2006. I was in an almost fatal car accident. in 2007, my leg was amputated, above the knee, as a result of the accident. Four months in hospitals and 25 surgeries later, I continue to recover. 3 1/2 years later, I can now walk one mile on a treadmill. My greatest joy is to be back in my kitchen, cooking for my family again. Although I do not have all of the skills, that I once had (my arms, wrists and fingers have less motion and strength now), I am learning to adapt many activities of daily living so that I can work within my abilities now. I have regained my ability to knit and now choose small projects to work on.

Family and friends have been invaluable. They all know and respect me for who I am now. They do not feel sorry for me. They courage me every step of the way on this slow uphill climb in recovering.

My daughter is visiting a couple at a hospital in Michigan. The man was severely injured in the earthquake. They speak no English. My daughter studies Haitian Kreyol last summer. She visits them several times a week. Her visits provide comfort in speaking their language and because she has a parent with limb loss.

In my town, we have an amputee support group. we meet once a month. We have speakers on various topics, outings or discuss among ourselves ways that we can help each other problem solve amputee issues. Being part of this group, motivates me. I see many people with limb loss who are living their lives to the fullest, and have created normalcy around limb loss. I soon realized that limb loss is only a small part of who I am.

Many of us are part of a national organization called Amputee Coalition of America. This organization offers services from a magazine delivered once a month, other literature, yearly meetings and peer visitors. Most of the people in my group were involved in peer training. We are able to speak and listen to with others undergoing limb loss in personal visits, phone calls and email sometimes, if the person lives far away.

I hope the Haitian people know how much Americans want to help.

I find it fantastic that there is a venue to share ideas, support, etc. As I am currently doing research in Australia on people with disabilities and one of my goals is to have web access to the "sucess" stories. While no one plans on these things to happen, until you can know of support, know where to go, and then find yourself feeling better does therapy work.

My question is are there web sites - regardless of disability - which allows people to see, talk to, read about the hardships and how to continue with life? I have worked with people with disabilities for years and some the the common stories are that they wanted to give up on life until accepting what happened and in most cases someone provided them with encouragement and support until they got over the trama.

Please feel free to reply or send links so others can gain from your experience and knowledge. And if you know of such a web site please let me know.

karl@wrightmktg.com.au

I lost my leg above the knee at the age of 14. I had a malignant bone tumor which became untreatable so the leg had to be amputated above the knee.

At the time I was devasated to experience ths at such a young age. I returned back to school and I had to wait a year before I could wear my prosthesis. After a few weeks of therapy, I was walking on my own!

Today I am 56 years old, I went to college and received by BA degree in Business.

There is lfe after amputation. You can go on with a normal life and adjust to whatever is possible for you. I must admit, my biggest help with the amputation came to me recently, when I got saved and found God. He really helped me to see my life in a more positive way, to focus on his purpose for me in my life, and to really see the goodness in this. I do not have time for self pity, it is too self destructive. But if you can just seek God and trust in him, everything in your life will be OK.

God Bless.

RRM

hello out there, i lost my right leg blow the knee in 2005 had a very bad time of it for a time. but i'am lucky i have the most wonderful wife in my world she was by my side 24/7 and she helped me get thought this.not easy for any one. i am 73 years now have six wonder childern and 8 grankids. my youngist son is in the navy almost 6 years now, he said he wanted to follow his dad god blesshim and all men and women who are serving thier country the usofa. by the way i drive, do alot of work my yard even get up a latter. well bless you all. and remenber god love you too. john r