Summary
The act of volunteering is definitely a way of ‘giving back’ following my own experience of rehabilitation – Erich's volunteering story
I became a left below-knee (LBK) amputee in November 2019. This was brought about by a running injury, which resulted in a blood clot behind the knee that was incorrectly diagnosed (by me) as a muscular/tendon issue and treated as such for three months, by which time the leg could not be saved.
For me, becoming a volunteer with the Limbless Association was a naturally evolving process. Following my surgery in November 2019 and after a period of shock and readjustment, I was put through my paces with a Pam Ayd in the physio gym, assessed and deemed suitable as a candidate for a prosthetic limb. Now, this was all entirely new to me – I had not known anyone, either family or friends, who had undergone this process. This was a steep learning curve to come to terms with, and a number of key decisions to make along the way. Post surgery, and in consultation with hospital surgeons and doctors, you encounter a new world filled with occupational therapists, physiotherapists and prosthetists, all these specialists who have your future in their hands to a certain extent.
Once I’d received my first socket and prosthetic limb and started learning to walk again, it was March 2020, and we were in lockdown. My professional career as a museum and exhibition designer was shelved; no one needed our services during that time.
I was aware of the work of the Limbless Association, but felt so grateful to the NHS that I volunteered initially to help the vascular team at our local hospital, to talk to patients pre and post-surgery, all the while observing the Covid protocols at the hospital, social distancing, etc. The process of engaging with patients on a 1-to-1 basis was a useful experience, but I felt I needed more guidance on the process of engaging with amputees, so that was when I reached out to the LA in 2022 and started my training.
The act of volunteering is definitely a way of ‘giving back’ following my own experience of rehabilitation. It stems from a tremendous sense of gratitude to the NHS – from the nurses, doctors, surgeons, specialists and students right through to the ancillary staff. I believe that amputees coming to terms with their new reality find it useful to talk to someone who has been through a similar journey and in every conversation I gain something too, it is not an entirely selfless act.
In my volunteer role, I talk to people who have contacted the LA because they are facing amputation and/or coming to terms with being an amputee. The conversations are usually phone conversations lasting about half an hour to an hour long. They provide the caller with an opportunity to air their concerns, ask questions about the day-to-day realities of living with limb loss, the rehabilitation pathway, and the practicalities involved. I invite them to talk openly and spend the majority of the call actively listening to them. Occasionally, there are other services within the LA or elsewhere which they can be referred to for more specific information beyond my knowledge. After the call, I write and submit a short report recording the key points arising during the conversation and whether any follow-up is required.
I was fortunate in having more than one call with one particular caller, a recent amputee who initially had not been deemed a suitable candidate for a prosthesis. This person had a supportive family and friends around them, but was in desperate straits as they saw their future life being trapped in a wheelchair. It was great to finally find out in a subsequent call that their rehabilitation had been successful, and a mould had been taken of their residual limb; they were finally on their way to getting a prosthetic limb. It was quite an experience to hear their relief and joy…!
Losing a limb is a life-changing experience, and that’s an understatement. Getting to grips with your new life and looking to the future with a positive mental attitude isn’t easy for everyone, and we all have good and bad days. Being able to speak to people in difficult circumstances, having some understanding of what they’re going through, seems to really help them. Many callers are grateful for being able to share their thoughts and feelings with you, and of course, you are also benefiting from talking to them, so it’s a win-win situation.
I think my bond with the LA has grown stronger over the last 3 years as I’ve gained confidence from talking to so many other amputees, service users, as well as other amputees and specialists I’ve met at the regular Lunch and Learn events and online forums. Each has their own unique and amazing story, and the benefits of volunteering are that you get to interact with this community and learn so much from them.
