Posted By Karena Walter, Standard Staff

Posted 5 hours ago

When she was only 18, Carol Mills lost her left leg above the knee to the same cancer Terry Fox had.

She didn’t think it was the end of her life, but others sure did.

“People kept saying, ‘How are you going to do this, how are you doing that?’ ” said Mills, a St. Catharines resident who’s since learned others have had the same experience.

“The families were more upset than we were. They couldn’t see past our amputations and we could.”

At that time in the late 1970s, there were no support groups in Niagara for amputees, said Mills, president of the Niagara Amputee Association that is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

That changed when a handful of amputees, including Mills, got together and shared coping tips. They realized there was a need for a group to reach others and the association was formed in May 1984.

“We knew what we went through and we wanted to help others get through that trauma,” said Doreen Mackey, one of the original members from Niagara Falls.

The association, now with more than 150 members across the region, celebrated 25 years of helping amputees Thursday with an afternoon gathering at Hotel Dieu Shaver Rehabilitation Centre.

Since its formation, the non-profit association has grown from a social group to one that offers visits to amputees in hospitals and homes. It also holds bingos to help people pay for prosthetics, which are only partially funded by the government.

The association has even helped start two similar support groups in Toronto and Hamilton.

At the heart of the group’s strength is its members, who offer unique perspective and support to other amputees.

Mills said one visit she and another member made to a senior citizen in Niagara Falls was memorable because the woman had given up all hope after her amputation. Within a week after the visit, she was baking for her family.

“They were surprised a visit from two amputees could pick up her spirits so much.”

Double amputee John Murray of St. Catharines said the association is one of the best places for information, such as where to get temporary mobility equipment.

The 63-year-old retired TRW worker lost both legs after a heart attack in 2004 caused him to lose circulation.

“If you’re an amputee, where do you go?” he said. “The best people to talk to are people in that position, because they’ve already overcome their problems.”

Murray said he can get information at meetings, but he can also share his knowledge with other members.

Welland resident Liz Torok, 61, said she’s picked up lots of tips from the association’s newletters, including what type of socks to wear over her prosthetic leg.

She was attending her first association gathering at the party Thursday after receiving those newsletters for years.

“I wanted to meet some of the people here who were amputees, share our stories and information,” said Torok, who had her right leg amputated 10 years ago.

“You feel like you’re the only one in the area who has their leg amputated. It’s nice to know we have local people who have the same thing as you and you don’t feel all alone.”

Published by Hydraujoint

For the latest in Amputee Exercise Equipment and Mobility Aids

Like

Unlike