Lower limb prosthetics course UNSW1

The Amputee ExperienceThe Amputee ExperienceDr Simon M. Furber

President of the Amputee Association of Sydney

Lower limb prosthetics course UNSW2

Thank you!Thank you!

Thank you !!Thank you !!Also please takeAlso please takeHand outs of slide showHand outs of slide showand on Sexuality and amputeesand on Sexuality and amputees

Lower limb prosthetics course UNSW3

Introduction Introduction

A look into the environment of the Amputee

How does it feel?What are the challenges?How do they cope?What services are available?What lies ahead?

Lower limb prosthetics course UNSW4

AmputeeAmputee

Write what you feel or think NOW!

Lower limb prosthetics course UNSW5

Amputee?Amputee?

What did you all say?

disabled

freaky

ugly

tragicclunker

Wooden legs

spaz

handi-capped

a gimp

Lower limb prosthetics course UNSW6

““YOU HAVE BONE CANCERYOU HAVE BONE CANCERSO YOU NEED TO HAVE YOUR SO YOU NEED TO HAVE YOUR LEG AMPUTATED ABOVE THE LEG AMPUTATED ABOVE THE KNEE….”KNEE….”How would you like to be told?What do you need now?What services do you need before the

Surgery?Other issues….?

Lower limb prosthetics course UNSW7

““your operation was successful !your operation was successful !2 weeks in Hospital to recover…2 weeks in Hospital to recover…What are you feeling now? Physically and mentally?What services would you want now?When will you be ready to go home or to a

Rehab facility?

Lower limb prosthetics course UNSW8

The first 3 months of your life as The first 3 months of your life as an Amputeean AmputeeHow are you feeling now?What are the main challenges you have

had to face so far….physical and mental?What has happened with your “normal”

life?What support do you need now?What else?

Lower limb prosthetics course UNSW9

The future..The future..Technological advances?Technological advances?*Improved rehab and training?*Improved rehab and training?*Better funding for amputee *Better funding for amputee services /????? services /????? *Society awareness*Society awareness

Lower limb prosthetics course UNSW10

Where to Get More InformationWhere to Get More Information

The Amputee Association of Sydney The Amputee Coalition of America Ossur website Otto Bock website Regional amputee groups Medline Plus An Amputee….talk to one soon!