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Meet
Carol!
Current Age: 56
Gender: Female
Amputation Level: Above Knee
Hometown: Northern Michigan
Age at amputation: 45
Cause: Trauma—Automobile
Activity Level: High |
My name is Carol and I’ve been an above-knee amputee
for 11 years. I’m an avid outdoors enthusiast and one
day while running, I was hit from behind by a car that left
the road. I was completely devastated and was sure that my
life as I had known it, was over. My circle of friends was
made up of many running partners—but how would I be
able to run with them again?
The amputation surgery left my limb very tender and I had
extreme phantom pain—how would I be able to walk without
pain, let alone enjoy the running and outdoor activities that
I did before? Would my friends accept me? Would I want to
or be able to maintain the relationships? There were so many
unanswered questions…
 Rehabilitation
quickly became my focus and I hoped and prayed for answers—acceptable
answers. I first saw Jan Stokosa for my initial consultation
in May, 1992. A client of his (who also lived in my town)
recommended him highly. Living in northern Michigan meant
a long drive to his clinic, but after meeting with Jan, I
chose the long travel time over closer prosthetic offices.
Jan took a great deal of time with me—appreciating my
needs, understanding what I wanted to do in my life, and providing
me with the direction and challenge that I needed to move
on with my rehabilitation.
During my consultation, Jan educated me to what could be possible
and presented me with the many options that are available
with respect to suspension systems, interface materials, foot,
ankle, and knee components. To complicate matters, Jan explained
that the pain I was still experiencing following the amputation
would probably require reconstructive surgery—something
that I didn’t enjoy hearing and did not look forward
to—more surgery and more delay. I could either begin
my prosthetic fitting right away, or I could have reconstructive
surgery. It was quite possible that I would need reconstructive
surgery within 24 months anyway, so I ultimately made the
decision to consult with Dr. Ertl in Illinois. I elected to
have the reconstructive surgery first and the results were
better than I could have anticipated! Less than 10 weeks later,
Jan fit me with my first temporary prosthesis.
Since that time, I have been able to resume the activities
that I enjoyed prior to my amputation, as well as participate
in many new ones. I’m still an avid runner and have
participated in many racing events in my area. I also enjoy
walking, aerobics, bicycling, swimming, snow-shoeing, downhill
skiing, hiking, and sailing. Right now, I have a prosthesis
that I use for my everyday activities—like working,
taking care of my house, running errands, etc., but I also
have three others that provide specific needs, depending on
my activity. I have one that I use while downhill skiing that
protects my leg and has a detachable lower section so it does
not interfere with my skiing, but is easily reattached for
walking. I’ve got a second one that I use while bicycling—I
no longer require another rider on a tandem! And because I
spend a lot of time swimming, I also have a “shower
peg” that I use to get to and from the pool and through
the shower/locker room areas.
My experience with everyone at the clinic encouraged me to
go on with my life—something that I did not think was
possible. When I found myself encouraging a man in my hometown—pointing
out that he was just as terrific as he always was—I
guess that was my turning point. It takes time to heal, but
one needs to concentrate on what one can do, not what they
cannot do.
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