REAL STORIES
Aileen Cudworth
Edward Garrity
Jessica Long
Mike Roberts
Alisa Webb
Russ Wedge |
In October of 1987, I lost my right leg just below the knee, while riding a lawn mower. It was quite a shock to me. I thought it was a dream and not a reality. But it was a reality... it had happened, and in a split second, I was changed from being an independent woman of 62 years to a dependent person. I immediately asked myself, "How do I respond to this crisis? Am I going to allow it to make me better or bitter?" I am convinced that life is 10% of what happens to me and 90% is how I react to it. The choice is entirely up to me. When I look at things through God's perspective, I can overcome all of life's problems.
I must give credit where credit is due. It was the Lord who helped me make all the adjustments after I came home from the hospital. Things went along beautifully. My first prosthesis was made in September. The first one is always hard to fit due to swelling in the limb.
A year after I lost my limb, we moved from Bel Air, Maryland to the Outer Banks
of North Carolina. The swelling had stabilized by then, and it was time for my
permanent prosthesis to be made. Someone recommended that I go to the department
of Prosthetics and Orthotics at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C.
They also suggested that I ask for John Michael, CPO, the Assistant Clinical
Professor Director.
I am so glad that I made the decision to go to Duke. This was the beginning of a new and productive life, much like the life I had experienced before my accident. It was a long distance to travel (250 miles one way) but well worth my time. Mr. Michael is a man of superb workmanship. He also deserves favorable mention concerning his caring attitude, which sets him apart from many others. For the next 10 years, I lead a very productive life, accomplishing many tasks. Often, I would even forget that I was wearing a prosthesis.
My husband and I moved back to Maryland in 1997 and had many difficulties getting a comfortable prosthesis made. Fortunately, I discovered Real Life Prosthetics. I found that they have the clinical and technical expertise I needed, as well as the high-tech materials required to provide a very light-weight, responsive and cosmetically appealing prosthesis. I now have the ability to go about my daily activities with renewed comfort. I commend and recommend my prosthetists, Jonas and Greg, to everyone because of their outstanding workmanship and caring attitudes. The clinical and technical team members truly worked with me to provide the best possible prosthesis.
May I leave you with a word of encouragement - When the struggle is on, we are to master our circumstances or be mastered by them. In the midst of all circumstances, God's grace, peace and joy are there. Oh yes, the tears will come and pressures will be felt. But with Him, there is new direction and power, and we no longer have to face our circumstances alone. |