Show Your Mettle: Peer Support Is Crucial to Recovery
By Guest Blogger Jessie Cantrell, Peer Support Coordinator, the Amputee Coalition
“I remember thinking that living life with one leg was worse than not living at all. I really, honestly did… [then] a young boy with an artificial leg came into my hospital room for a visit. I don’t remember what he said. I don’t remember what he looked like. I was so transfixed on his prosthesis as he walked into my room. That’s all I needed to give me the personal strength to go on….” – Ted Kennedy, Jr.
Every day, more than 500 Americans lose a limb — but let’s face it, not many people have met someone with limb loss prior to becoming an amputee. Going through limb loss without others to relate with can turn unanswered questions into feelings of isolation and loneliness. However, a fellow amputee living a full life, who understands the challenges, is in a position to offer hope unlike anyone else. The Amputee Coalition believes that peer support is crucial to recovery. Whether someone was born with a limb difference or whether they lost limbs due to diabetes, disease, trauma, or cancer, we offer many ways amputees can find and support each other:
We have certified and trained more than 1,000 amputees and their family members to meet with other amputees in times of need. Peer visits take place everyday across the country, in person, on the phone and via email. Our peer visitors are passionate volunteers who desire to make sure that no one goes through the limb loss journey alone.
Amputee support groups provide an invaluable place for new amputees and their family members to connect with others who have overcome similar challenges. With more than 260 support groups registered with the Amputee Coalition, amputees across the country are receiving the support vital for recovery and everyday life.
Our Facebook page is a wonderful way to instantaneously connect with thousands of other amputees across the country. New stories and requests for support are posted every hour. We encourage everyone to check it out.
In addition to peer support, the Amputee Coalition understands the importance of uniting the entire limb loss community to encourage amputees to step out of the shadows and effect change. We started this movement in 2011 by designating April as Limb Loss Awareness Month, and this year, we are celebrating by launching Show Your Mettle Day on Saturday, April 27.
On April 27, the Coalition is asking the 2 million amputees across the country to show their mettle by proudly showing their metal (prosthetic devices or wheelchairs) in public. In addition, we encourage amputees to join our Facebook photo challenge in April by uploading a photo of themselves showing their mettle. We want to tell the world that amputees are part of the community and, most important, show amputees that they are not alone. Please help us spread the word.
Jessie Cantrell is originally from Nashville and graduated from Middle Tennessee State University. After college, she went on staff with Disabled Sports USA in Rockville, Md,. where she primarily worked with severely injured veterans from across the country. She now lives in Knoxville and enjoys working as the peer support coordinator for the Amputee Coalition.