Managing Change

You will survive this. It is natural to feel discouraged, worried, helpless, and dependent after an amputation. Sometimes you must let go of what you have lost, appreciate what remains, and look forward to what will happen next.

Take comfort in the fact that you are not alone. There are over two million people living with limb loss in the United States, with 185,000 lower extremity amputations added to that number every year.

By 2050 an estimated 3.6 million people in this country will be living with limb loss.

You are the same person you were before your amputation. You are just going to have to do things differently. You will be able to return to the activities you enjoyed. But it’s going to take some work. We will provide you with the tools to accomplish your goals but you will have to provide the strength and resolve to use these tools to the best of your ability.

It is natural to grieve for the loss of your limb. Talk about it. The loss is real and your feelings are understandable. Grief is nothing to be ashamed of. Talk to us, your doctors, your friends, your family, and when you are ready, other amputees. There are wonderful support systems and groups already in place made up of people who have suffered similar losses.