The Ageing Amputee - 9301

At sixteen years old I was told to rid the cancer from my body would require amputating the whole of my right leg and part of my hip bone. Who do I talk to, what do I need to know, can anyone help me? A myriad of questions but nobody was there to help or advise me, but this was over fifty years ago. Nowadays, with assistance and information readily available, it has improved, but there is still a long way to go, which this book, ‘The Ageing Amputee’ will help to bridge the gap. In this era of ‘Disability Awareness’ many imagine the pre and post-amputation information is factual and complete, it is not. I have covered the whole range of preparedness from facing amputation, post-operative recovery, and pain management through to advice in living with it and the inevitable declining mobility. What is rarely written about is the ageing process every amputee must face, which has inherent complications many do not realise. Not only do they not realise it but their family, friends, and partners who many rely heavily on do not either. There is a lot of written by the medical profession and those doing their PhD’s, but it is cold and clinical with its content and jargon not familiar to most amputees because it is not written with intimate knowledge by an amputee. With my having more than half a century of knowledge and experience, each chapter explores the risks and opportunities faced but, and it is a big but, I am mindful how fortunate I have been to live in the UK. Here we have the National Health Service but what if I needed insurance to cover the expensive costs of being an amputee? I reached out through many social media sites covering the wide network of amputee sites and engaged with an American from Phoenix who is now in his mid-eighties having had his leg amputated above the knee over five years ago. I encouraged him to write about his personal experiences for every chapter, and as I received each one it opened for me a new understanding of the struggles, uncertainties and funding needs through Medicare and other insurance companies required there. It was enlightening for me and his positive, accepting attitude to being disabled was one to be admired. I decided to share his input at the end of each chapter, in italics, to give a different voice and perspective which will resonate with other amputees especially those in the USA. He also offers sound advice based on his personal experiences of becoming an amputee in later life. He is an advocate of the media site Amputee Coalition and an active member in mentoring others through it. He has said to me it suddenly dawned on him at chapter fourteen, every chapter applied to him, and he could relate to what was written. He learned a lot about himself not only in reading what was written but also looking inwardly at times to share his own experiences. With over 100 million amputees worldwide and 2 million in the USA this number is projected to double by 2050. This is a staggering number when you consider the support structures required and the ripple effect on the amputee’s friends and relatives. Their thirst for help, support and knowledge will continue especially as the ageing population are living longer and medical intervention is required. After my autobiography, ‘They Want To Amputate’ was published in 2023, I realised the ageing process gradually creeps up on all of us. This has a significantly greater impact through reduced mobility and perhaps other age related illnesses for amputees, yet little is written to understand or even prepare for the impact it has. This book will educate many who are facing or have faced amputation and be recognised as a guide to the friends and family who help and support their loved ones.
ASIN: B0D267Z89D
VSKU: BVV.B0D267Z89D.VG
Condition: Very Good
Author/Artist:Paffett, Mr John William|Clark, Mr James D
Binding: Paperback