I cannot tell you how many times I have made this statement in my lifetime as an amputee. When I was a little tot I would scream it out of frustration and anger!
I don’t wannna wear my legggg!
As an adult, I would say not much has changed haha! When I was little I would pop my leg off, and opt for crawling or hopping around. I have gained one killer calf muscle, and some really toned arms because of all those years. However, I have severely damaged my only good ankle and had to get surgery on it a few times now. In high school I started using crutches in order to save my “good” leg. This was a great alternative, but it slowed me down. It also made it difficult to carry things, go up or down stairs, and made me feel even more “disabled” in a way. I was constantly asking people to open doors for me, waiting for elevators, and moving at such a slow pace. I would be in too much pain to use my leg and desperately need an off day, but I would be annoyed by my lack of capabilities with my crutches.
In college, I heard about the iWALK! It’s essentially a hands-free crutch. It was initially designed for people who had injured their foot or ankle, or were recovering from surgery. It has evolved into an assistive device for below-knee amputees!
With this device I have been able to ascend stairs, carry books while walking, and even go for a stroll on the beach ^
The biggest bonus with this device is that I was able to stand up in the shower for the first time in my life! That was a huge moment for me, and nearly brought me to tears. I very rarely allow myself to feel inferior because of my amputation, but when a girl can stand up and shave her last leg she’s got, well then damn she feels empowered 😛
I heard about the iWALK after I had already been an amputee for about 20 years. I have heard that it is a great training device for those about to become amputees. Muscle memory is a real thing people! If you can walk on this thing you will breeze through physical therapy post amputation (or so I’ve heard). Check my Instagram for videos of me walking up and down stairs on it!
