Christine and Gary's journey as a team.

Gary

I had a right, below knee amputation in December 2021 as a result of sepsis infection. Up until that time, I’d never even met an amputee or thought about what life would be like after amputation. In Victoria, the timing couldn’t have been worse to have a major medical issue, as hospitals had a no-visitor policy due to Covid. Luckily, I was put in touch with Danny, a Limbs 4 Life Peer Support Volunteer and fellow below knee amputee, who gave me a call after my amputation surgery. Danny and I discussed how he was able to do most of the activities he could prior to amputation, once he’d adapted to using his prosthetic leg. This was a fantastic, positive lift to me! After leaving hospital and still in a wheelchair, my wife Christine, and I attended a Limbs 4 Life information session in Doncaster, Melbourne. It was inspirational to see so many positive amputees walking, to meet them and hear their stories of how great life was as they adjusted to living as an amputee. Christine and I both got so much out of that night, that we decided that we’d attend Limbs 4 Life events and Support Group get-togethers whenever they were on. Mixing with fellow amputees gave us so much real-life education that would undoubtedly help me on my new journey. 

It took over a year after the amputation before I started to use a prosthetic leg due to a reinfection in my stump, which required another couple of operations. I knew that I would be fine in the long run and that I’d have a good life as an amputee, if I followed medical and rehabilitation advice. The amazing help I received by having access to Peer Support from Danny while in my early amputation journey, made me want to become a Limbs 4 Life volunteer. I wanted to help new amputees and share my experiences with them. In August 2023, I attended Peer Support volunteer training and I’ve been an active volunteer with Limbs 4 Life ever since. I find providing Peer Support to be mutually beneficial, as I get a lot out of sharing with people and can recount my own experiences. If I’m asked something that I can’t answer, I now have a network of amputees who I can call to get some help. I always try to be as positive as possible and if the person I’m supporting is feeling a bit down, I tell them that we all have bad days, it’s part of life.  

Christine

My role as a carer started when Gary left amputee rehabilitation, with a handover from a nurse on the curb at the hospital. It was during Covid, so I felt like I was left to cope as best I could. In the early days, managing transfers to and from wheelchairs, navigating areas where wheelchair access wasn’t easy and sometimes having to find another way due to obstacles etc., was challenging. Some days I wondered whether I was up to it, but I got through it! Looking back it’s been quite a journey and our ‘new normal’ isn’t something that I could envisage in those early days. We have been able to do far more than I ever thought was possible at the beginning. 

My first encounter with Limbs 4 Life was an event held locally on the evening that Gary was first out of hospital. I really don’t remember much of the content that was presented, more the positivity and the role models in the room, thriving and getting on with life. There was range of attendees at various stages in their journey, but all were achieving things that opened our minds to a range of possibilities. 

It has been a challenge at times keep focussed on the positives and it can be tough when you see a loved one having bad days, but they seem a distant memory now. Still knowing that Gary has a network to call on to bounce ideas around, or to see how other amputees have handled an issue, have been great aspects of our Limbs 4 Life connection. 

The days of rehabilitation were worth it, as Gary progressed to meet his goals of getting fitted for a prosthetic leg, walking over all sorts of different surfaces and going up and down stairs. In the early days when he was walking, I would always do a brief look-ahead to see what surface or obstacles existed and to find the best way to navigate, especially when we were in a new environment. As Gary has become more comfortable in adjusting to new situations, I often forget to even think about assessing possible difficulties! I have been to quite a few events held by Limbs 4 Life and feel a positive energy with this group, and I know that I can connect with other carers who attend to compare ideas and strategies. 

We’ve travelled together now and encountered many new circumstances, such as walking over cobblestones in the rain without falling (something which would have seemed impossible at one point) and surprised ourselves by the number of steps in a day we’ve done together.