I never even thought about how showering is different when missing a limb. Thank you for sharing this! Also sending virtual hugs (if you’re okay with that). I hope you are putting this content out for yourself, and not just because you feel we need it. Remember to take care. 💜
If you are wondering what it's like to shower as an above the knee amputee, I need extreme help. If I want to take a quick shower then I can easily get in and out but if I want to take my time then I need help because I gotta first go in then get out while I'm wet and then dry myself up and I need help with that.
It's incredibly difficult when you have a cast on your leg as well. I broke my ankle at 14 and couldn't get the cast wet because I had exposed pins in the ankle and it is a hassle to learn how to shower when you have a limb that can't be used.
@@Daniel-mq3nf yeah cuz she wanted to get rid of a defective and painful foot. If something hurts and you can't get it to stop hurting you remove it if you are able to. Breaks do not always heal back to the way they were. I broke my ankle and while it doesn't always hurt like hers did it still has issues from time to time. Also doctors regularly amputate limbs when they are so badly broken because there's no hope of correcting it. Hers was so badly broken that while it went back together it still didn't work. Furthermore I'm going to be having my mammary ducts removed because they caused me a lot of pain and discomfort are you going to criticize me for having my ducts amputated? Am I attention seeking for getting them removed or am I simply trying to alleviate a problem?
Shower seats are the bomb. I have chronic pain and fatigue and some days all I can do is sit. We had a wide, low threshold shower installed a few years ago because Dad has trouble with his back, Parkinson's, and high leg lifts for tubs. It's awesome.
I've been telling my buddy and his wife to future proof when they finally go to replace their tub. Get the walk in kind. You will thank yourself later.
@AnnoyingNewsletters It's best to do it before you need it! That way, you can get used to it before adding any physical complications. There are days that I miss taking a bath, but they're few and far between, and having the width and ease is absolutely worth the tradeoff. We got ours redone before Dad's Parkinsons got bad. They also installed the cushioned linoleum tiles. They are warmer (important b/c I have Raynauds) and just soft enough to be comfortable but not squishy. Dad has had a few falls over the years, and I'm positive that it saved him from broken bones and other dangerous injuries. Planning ahead is never a bad thing.
My girlfriend has a foot condition that makes standing up for too long hurt, and on bad days, my hypermobility can make my knees hurt a lot when standing up too long. If we move in together, we’ve already planned on getting a shower chair. She’ll probably still take more baths, because of her OCD rules, but it would still be useful.
Those shower benches are amazing. My grandma used one because she had dementia and would sometimes forget where she was, if she was standing in the shower when it happened she would just start trying to get out of the shower, but if she was sitting in the shower she would call for help . So she could take her own shower without us worrying about her hurting herself trying to find us. It gave her some more independence for a short while 🥰
Wow, I'm glad you guys discovered that detail and that it resulted in more positives for all of you. How did you actually come about the realization that her different responses to the sudden troubling feelings she'd experience was dependant on the variation of chair/no chair?
@madelinewhitney832 we tried different ways for her to shower alone, as to try and give her as much independence as possible. Any time she would be sitting, she wouldn't try to get out on her own because it was hard for her to stand from a sitting position while unassisted. It also kept her calmer, too, for some reason. She just was less argumentative and more receptive to help
@@saralove9805Thank you for sharing! There's a lot of useful ideas in there. Finding something that is both physically safer, and keeps an individual calmer/more able to ask for help is an absolute win!
Your videos were very helpful for me during the time I dislocated my knee and had to navigate an almost inaccessible house for months. It made me feel not alone despite the isolation, and all the tips and tricks helped me a lot with daily tasks. Thank you for making your videos.💖
I was just thinking. It's damn cool that you are showing potentially the world, what an amputee has to go through on a day to day basis. Thank you for being so clear, to the point and well spoken. You are awesome.
I tore all the ligments in my left foot when I was fifteen, and let me tell you, figuring out to put the towel on the floor was life changing, I didn't have to worry about trying to balance, I could just sit down and dry off and everything💖💖💖 thanks Jo.
@@TheFos88 I was running down hill at school, I didn't see the hole in the ground. I put my foot in the hole, tripped, and rolled down the hill infront of my entire grade. I tried to get up but my foot was hanging from my ankle like a limp noodle and I couldn't put any weight on it. My dad and an older student had to carry me to the car because walking was not an option.
@@joshholland8564 Yeah, my foot is still attached to my body. Because it was a soft tissue injury. I was on crutches for 7 weeks, during which I did some mild water rehab. When I came off the crutches I got all the rehab I needed by moving through the school building, up and down stairs, but I followed it up with ankle and foot strengthening exercises. It took 6 months to heal up completely. It's been ten years since, and my foot aches and cramps in the cold, but it's fine. My right knee is actually hurting me more than my foot is because my right leg tried to catch me when I fell.
Thank you Footless Jo. I am a recent amputee. I am okaywith it.. You are absolutely wonderful and so helpful. I love your advice. Take care young lady.
My parents both aputee people.. Used a shower chair for their stablness ,OT helped both with each ADL to keep them Independent. Keeps dignity in place.. now I'm a nurse.. Officially..And between your videos And experience in helping my residents with there mobility issues.. Thank you❤️🥰
Hey Jo!! Just checking in to make sure that you’re taking care of yourself. I know that things have been stressful lately, and if you’re like me, stress can lead to things like not eating properly and withdrawing from the world. I know how devastating it is to lose a beloved furbaby - even what it’s like to lose more than one in rapid succession. And I also know how stressful it is to separate from your partner. It’s none of our business why, and it doesn’t matter in terms of how difficult it is - I was surprised by that when I left an abuser (not to suggest that was your reason!!). I can’t begin to imagine what it must be like to live through both at the same time - death of a loved one, divorce and moving are three of the five most stressful life events. So please, take care of you, so that we can enjoy your presence for years to come!!
I get in differently. I put my "fake" leg in over the lip of the of tub & then bring my "real" leg over. Then I sit in my shower seat, then I take my leg off & set it within reaching distance. I do the shower things and then as I sit I dry off. I do take a hand towel and use it to dry the bottom of the tub where my feet will navigate to get out. I put my leg on then my real leg goes over the lap & the fake leg follows. Now I'm out of the tub, leg on & dried off. Ready for clothes.
This just sounds warmer to me too. And less physically taxing tbh with the extended sitting hehe. I'm not an amputee, but I personally hate stepping óut of the shower right away. I towel dry still standing inside my tub and only step out when ready to just wrap myself and either do more bathroom things or go to my room to dress. I also really dislike re dressing in a steamy bathroom). I feel like I would maybe struggle with not wanting to reatach my leg in the steady bathroom. Do you find that bothersome? Like, really getting it dry enough inside the br thats all humid now? Do you ever have to take it back off to pat dry more once you leave the bathroom? I hope it's okay to share my thoughts and ask you those questions , but if for any reason it's not, I don't mean to offend or be a bother Thanks for sharing! (And thank you Jo for sharing your method and for even bringing these thoughts into my brain to begin with! Something I've never exactly pondered til now!)
Been watching your videos a lot, and finding them helpful. I have severe osteoarthritis in my left ankle, and I'm planning on amputation to fix it. Thanks again, I've been really nervous/stressed dealing with everything, and your light and humorous approach of explaining helps a lot.
I had no idea that when I lost my foot that I would be seeing pretty woman in the shower so often on you tube. LOL. my shower routine is just about the same. I like the teakwood shower bench mine is cold plastic. I think I will need to upgrade. Thank you Jordan.
@@StephaninasAmputeeAdventures This is a youtube review of the one I use that looks almost identical. It has links for purchase. ruclips.net/video/dQw4w9WgXcQ/видео.html
You have such a positive energy vibe, that runs off on people who know how to appreciate it, this is called turning a negative into a positive. Keep smiling please, it's got a enchanted power of sorts!
Thanks for this vid! I've always wondered how amputees did that! I really respect anyone who has to learn to live as an amputee, you guys are superheroes.
That makes sense, do you also have a handheld shower head too? There are showers out there with both a normal shower head and a handheld one, and they can be used together or separately. In my head that seams like something that would be helpful.
Thank you so much for having the inspiration and the courage to share your stories and videos because I am fixing to be a new amputee and completely clueless but after watching every episode I can that you share on RUclips I feel more confident going forward knowing something that someone hasshed some light on some knowledge that I may be able to achieve some goals that I didn’t think were possible so thanks again
Honestly Jo, anyone who is a new below-the-knee amputee could watch your channel and learn exactly what to do to get by. These how to videos are extremely helpful and informative. Thank you!
Good points. I'm not even an amputee, and stuff like this always trips me out. One mistake, and we're done! Going down stairs and anything slippery-related gain my max attention all the time!
If she doesn't own her own home it can be very difficult or impossible to get landlords to accommodate. Grab bars are awesome, but most people rent. I have them installed all over the house, but I own my own place.
@@Fizzypopization I don't understand why landlords don't install grab bars for everyone's safety as a standard. There are nicely decorative ones. But being a renter is why I have a typical bath bench with arm rests and a safety bar that clamps to the sides of the tub. There have been times when I only showered after taking water aerobics classes at the YMCA because I didn't feel as safe at my rented apartment.
she made a short not to long ago about food. Not really a change in diet but she was more hungry because the rest of her body was doing more work than usual :)
In one of her videos she talks about how losing her leg actually made her eat more than she used to. It's because she is using a lot of enegery to compensate for her missing leg. Super interesting!
"it's a common thing" For real though, for her it is an unfortunate daily reality. Can't even imagine. Closest I can find to it is when I broke my back in a car accident few years ago. Literally every normal thing had to be altered.
I have my limbs, but I fell in the bathtub a few weeks ago and it is really cool to see how you stay safe. A few accommodations make you big difference
I will never understand how you move so much easier than I do. I'm also able to below the knee amputee I have so many problems balancing moving around with it when it's not on. I applaud your skill.
I am a below knee also, what I do is to wash my stump on my shower seat sit on the edge and transfer the seat to the carpet, sit on it and I dry my leg put my leg on then step my prosthetic into a tall kitchen bag seal the top with an ace bandage and I can stand in the shower. Maybe not for everyone but it works great for me. Love your channel.
As someone with severe balance issues, I would reccommend a grab bar just in case There's a massive 2 inch difference in the length of my legs and it makes it difficult to stand for an extended time without falling over Thanks for sharing, Jo, sending positive vibes
Your videos seem like they will help so many people who are going through this since you came out of it a warrior. I'm sure they are helping people now (:
I'm a recent amputee and get asked this all the time. Thanks for bringing some awareness. Love your videos. Just seen the lost foot video after losing mine and finding it in the bathtub.
I'm not an amputee although I enjoy learning from these videos. I put on a 100% cotton oversized mans tee shirt & I also wrap my head in one before I open the shower curtain. I use another one on the floor to step onto. Most of the year my house is quite chilly. The body & floor ones go into the laundry to be washed & the head/hair one gets dried over the shower curtain rod to use on the floor next time. I'll use a hand towel & wash cloth to dry off with. It adds up to me being warmer in the process & less laundry than full size towels. It's also supposed to be better for hair than drying with a terry towel. ☮️💞🙏
Thank you for sharing these things and how you get through your day just like everyone else, but with modifications! I think these everyday things are very interesting and may make someone else uncomfortable to ask. It also makes me realize how much I take for granted in my own life. Whatever it is that may be easier for me to do and I don't have to think about it may be more of a challenge to someone else and require a few more steps!!! You make it look so easy, but I bet you had to practice and come up with your own way of doing things that work best for you! Amazing!!!
Great how too!! I am also a BKA . You need some good hand rails! Too. They will help.! Especially with the tub tube. Great!! Video! I enjoy watching you teach! Thank you!
Man it really isn't anything over the top but it's another one of those things I'd just never have thought about as an all-original-parts person, thanks a ton for sharing!
My great grandfather was partial leg amputee and lived with my grandparents … their bathroom had a deck style insert in the tub that has non skid tape on it and a seat belt that was bolted into the splash wall. The deck had an elastic band he could slip his foot into. My grand mother also has sewn him oversized shorts made out of old towels with a drawstring waist and suspenders he could put on before showering so that he could wash those areas while at the same time having a relative amount of modestly. This was way back in the 40s and fifties and my grand parents had first one daughter, then about ten sons, and finally another daughter. …. Eventually they just built a shower room for all the boys in the mudroom that was wheel chair accessible in the house. With that many children in the house washing dished became too much for my grandmother so they built stands for basins to be set in the shower room and the boys would wash the more durable dishes out their while my grandmother and aunts would wash the delicate dishes in the kitchen sink
I wish I'd seen this before breaking my foot! I actually broke the same foot on two separate occasion in almost the exact same spot. Fortunately my parents' bathroom has a walk-in shower (I was living at home) so we were able to get a shower bench and it let me bathe while I couldnt bear weight on my foot. There's so much I didn't realize I was taking for granted before I broke my foot and dealt with mobility issues, and Jo has shown me even more examples. The world is harder for amputees and people with limb differences, as well as for people with mobility issues, and it's something we need to change.
I also had a badly broken foot and the bathtub was really tough. I quickly figured out the towel on the edge of the tub after a fall😢. But getting up off the floor is really difficult. I used the toilet with the seat down with the tub towel on it. My foot took 12 weeks before I could weight bear. And longer with the walking cast and crutches. A long process. Crutches on wet office floors are critically dangerous!! A couple of falls there too.
As soon as you are able have your tub converted into a shower. I have both legs, but my collection of back injuries and advanced age make falling a real danger. I had the conversion done last year and it's the BEST decision. The shower enclosure is a whopping 3 inch step over but you can also get one that has none at all! For nearly any disability a shower conversion should be a must-have!
Many of my friends had given up using the bath tub. As an older woman, that is Not a sacrifice I am willing to make. So I made adaptations and I am more aware when in the bath. How you navigate your shower is insightful. As always, I am grateful for your candor and willingness to share. I think I am a more considerate person as a result. All the best. See ya at your next new reel. :~)
Something that could help is possibly some sort of bar in the shower to hang on to. Cause if you did need to stand up for a minute then you can hold on. Also my grandma's bathtub has an area of it at the front that was cut out (professionally and resealed after) to make getting in and out cause my grandma had to get her knee replaced so that could help (anyone who sees this comment can use these tips that could help if you want)
That was a question I had for an amputee I knew many years ago (He was a teacher of the visually impaired I worked with.) but I did not ever feel comfortable asking because I felt that was not my place to ask. Thank you for the education.
I'm 68 yrs old and a 52 yr left above knee amputee. I use crutches and step over the tub wall and always shower standing up. We all do things differently
That's the kind of stuff I've never thought about, but as soon as you mentioned it, I realized just how dangerous it could be. Thanks for spreading awareness!
And you get your laundry done at the same time! 😁 Really cool and conservation aware way to work out the problem. 🙃☺️ You seem to like humor like I do. Hope you liked the joke!!! Thank you for the captions for those of us with Seriously impared hearing! Really appreciate it!
I really appreciate you showing that you use a bench in the shower. I wasn't sure if you would since it can be something that people can make the disabled feel bad about needing. I had one guy freak when he found out I would need a handheld shower head if I stayed over. Can't imagine what my shower chair would have induced
Not only do we have the same amputation on the same leg but we also have the same shower bench =D I haven't got prosthetic yet, still using a knee crutch but I have been thinking about how I'm going to have to adapt yet again. I appreciate this very much!
I have a chair and a clamp-on handle that helps me prevent injuries. I have a history of back and nerve pain that gets bad if I hunch or bend over. Now I can wash my legs and get in and out of the shower/bath easily. It doesn't get rid of my drowning phobia/trauma, though..... It takes hours to mentally prepare myself to go in and sometimes I just can't do it.
I also have a floor towel! I have pots so my circulation isnt great especially bare feet on cold tiles (I wear socks all the time like first thing I do in the morning and I take them off right before bed at night) and it is so great. no more purple feet or worrying about blood pooling
What about the shower head adjustment? Water at first is usually cold, takes a few moments to get warm, then adjust it at the right level. Is your show head lower level for you?
hi! can I ask where you found that stool? i have trouble not fainting in the shower and im trying to find ways to adapt, that looks like a really helpful tool!
I love that teak bench you have. So much nicer than the plastic shower chairs you get from the healthcare places. Did you get that from a sauna shop or something like that?
@FootlessJo I built my bench as I have a glass door closed in shower/jacuzzi tub, so it’s a tight fit between the wall and the shower doors. Works great. I also thought of a great idea for getting down on the tub to clean between the cracks. I just took a gardening mat/pad and put it down when it’s needed then rinse after I’m done. I found I needed this for two reasons one my left knee is a wuss and doesn’t do well when putting a knee down on any hard surfaces, the other reason is I’m 6’4 and 265 pounds and I got big wide shoulders , plus an extremely messed up back and it a pain in the butt washing one cheek at a time. Just thought this might help you or some of your followers. I work on cars a ton and I’m always having to get on my knees so I started doing this just for my left knee as my right knee back in the day before I lost my leg I could put it down on concrete, rocks (small gravel ) and it wasn’t river rock it was pointy as heck. But know that I have lost me leg I can’t get down on my right with my prosthetic leg on cause it will cut holes in my sleeves. I wanted a peg socket at first as we just ordered my new leg but my leg guy told me the differences and I was like nope not for me. 😂 Now I’m trying to come up with money for a hydraulic ankle cause my insurance says no to most things like this.
I remember when I near ripped my leg off on a road bike I couldn't walk for over a year that time was life changing everything was so hard and still is 12 years later I often ponder on getting my leg chopped off so I enjoy your videos
![What No One Tells You About Divorce [CC]](/img/1.gif)
For anyone asking...how I lost my leg!
ruclips.net/video/x9EEbrs4oWc/видео.html
Has anyone (on any social media platform) accused you of faking losing your leg? That just seems like something somebody would do.
@@Kai_The_Kai only time that's happened is when I'm wearing pants. To be fair I was at a salsa club showing all the two leggers up.
@@kennethliebel4449 that's a sentence I never thought I would hear
@@Kai_The_Kai dancing helped me develop my fine tune control over the prosthetic. It's also how I impressed my wife when we met!
I was wondering if you just chill and soak in a nice hot bath, or is it to much effort to climb out ?
I never even thought about how showering is different when missing a limb. Thank you for sharing this! Also sending virtual hugs (if you’re okay with that). I hope you are putting this content out for yourself, and not just because you feel we need it. Remember to take care. 💜
If you are wondering what it's like to shower as an above the knee amputee, I need extreme help. If I want to take a quick shower then I can easily get in and out but if I want to take my time then I need help because I gotta first go in then get out while I'm wet and then dry myself up and I need help with that.
It's incredibly difficult when you have a cast on your leg as well. I broke my ankle at 14 and couldn't get the cast wet because I had exposed pins in the ankle and it is a hassle to learn how to shower when you have a limb that can't be used.
Don't have pity on her. She wanted an amputation. Nothing was wrong with her leg. She's an attention seeker.
@@Daniel-mq3nf yeah cuz she wanted to get rid of a defective and painful foot. If something hurts and you can't get it to stop hurting you remove it if you are able to. Breaks do not always heal back to the way they were. I broke my ankle and while it doesn't always hurt like hers did it still has issues from time to time.
Also doctors regularly amputate limbs when they are so badly broken because there's no hope of correcting it. Hers was so badly broken that while it went back together it still didn't work.
Furthermore I'm going to be having my mammary ducts removed because they caused me a lot of pain and discomfort are you going to criticize me for having my ducts amputated? Am I attention seeking for getting them removed or am I simply trying to alleviate a problem?
@@UlexiteTVStoneLexite Sounds like you should get it amputated. If I'm following your logic.
Shower seats are the bomb. I have chronic pain and fatigue and some days all I can do is sit. We had a wide, low threshold shower installed a few years ago because Dad has trouble with his back, Parkinson's, and high leg lifts for tubs. It's awesome.
I've been telling my buddy and his wife to future proof when they finally go to replace their tub. Get the walk in kind. You will thank yourself later.
@AnnoyingNewsletters It's best to do it before you need it! That way, you can get used to it before adding any physical complications. There are days that I miss taking a bath, but they're few and far between, and having the width and ease is absolutely worth the tradeoff. We got ours redone before Dad's Parkinsons got bad. They also installed the cushioned linoleum tiles. They are warmer (important b/c I have Raynauds) and just soft enough to be comfortable but not squishy. Dad has had a few falls over the years, and I'm positive that it saved him from broken bones and other dangerous injuries. Planning ahead is never a bad thing.
My dad has Parkinson too, thanks for suggestions, we'll start using them to prove if they can make his life a bit easier
My girlfriend has a foot condition that makes standing up for too long hurt, and on bad days, my hypermobility can make my knees hurt a lot when standing up too long. If we move in together, we’ve already planned on getting a shower chair. She’ll probably still take more baths, because of her OCD rules, but it would still be useful.
Heck yea. I have a shower stool. It's fantastic.
Your positivity is inspiring to those of us with life altering disabilities
I'm not even disabled and I find her very inspiring 😁
Not everyone will be cupcakes 🧁 and rainbows 🌈 though
@@imaginechi7677 nobody ever said that it would be??
Those shower benches are amazing. My grandma used one because she had dementia and would sometimes forget where she was, if she was standing in the shower when it happened she would just start trying to get out of the shower, but if she was sitting in the shower she would call for help . So she could take her own shower without us worrying about her hurting herself trying to find us. It gave her some more independence for a short while 🥰
Wow, I'm glad you guys discovered that detail and that it resulted in more positives for all of you. How did you actually come about the realization that her different responses to the sudden troubling feelings she'd experience was dependant on the variation of chair/no chair?
@madelinewhitney832 we tried different ways for her to shower alone, as to try and give her as much independence as possible. Any time she would be sitting, she wouldn't try to get out on her own because it was hard for her to stand from a sitting position while unassisted. It also kept her calmer, too, for some reason. She just was less argumentative and more receptive to help
@@saralove9805💓
@@saralove9805Thank you for sharing! There's a lot of useful ideas in there. Finding something that is both physically safer, and keeps an individual calmer/more able to ask for help is an absolute win!
The edge of the tub is EXACTLY the right level for your knee lol
Ikr it is
Yes, baths are made for that, for sitting aswell
@@growtgt
But not every bathtub is going to be the perfect height for everyone, because unlike in video games, people aren’t all the same size.
@@ragnkja but youre right i was like "yio if she was 6 feet aint no way it woulda matched up perfectly"🤣
Your videos were very helpful for me during the time I dislocated my knee and had to navigate an almost inaccessible house for months. It made me feel not alone despite the isolation, and all the tips and tricks helped me a lot with daily tasks. Thank you for making your videos.💖
"Step one of taking a shower is to obviously take my leg off"
Ikr like just take it off even if ur not a amputee just rip it off
welcome to fact or cap
My literal thoughts exactly
💀
@@ej-arsonator NAH💀
Lady you are amazing, these tips for amputees must be so appreciated
Thanks for sharing Jo! Didn't think I'd be curious of this but that was interesting and made a lot of sense
I was just thinking. It's damn cool that you are showing potentially the world, what an amputee has to go through on a day to day basis. Thank you for being so clear, to the point and well spoken. You are awesome.
I tore all the ligments in my left foot when I was fifteen, and let me tell you, figuring out to put the towel on the floor was life changing, I didn't have to worry about trying to balance, I could just sit down and dry off and everything💖💖💖 thanks Jo.
Damn! Do you mind me asking how that happened?
@@TheFos88 I was running down hill at school, I didn't see the hole in the ground. I put my foot in the hole, tripped, and rolled down the hill infront of my entire grade. I tried to get up but my foot was hanging from my ankle like a limp noodle and I couldn't put any weight on it. My dad and an older student had to carry me to the car because walking was not an option.
@@ladyscarlette6289 did you get to keep it
@@joshholland8564 Yeah, my foot is still attached to my body. Because it was a soft tissue injury. I was on crutches for 7 weeks, during which I did some mild water rehab. When I came off the crutches I got all the rehab I needed by moving through the school building, up and down stairs, but I followed it up with ankle and foot strengthening exercises. It took 6 months to heal up completely. It's been ten years since, and my foot aches and cramps in the cold, but it's fine. My right knee is actually hurting me more than my foot is because my right leg tried to catch me when I fell.
@@ladyscarlette6289 so sorry to hear that 😢
Thank you Footless Jo. I am a recent amputee. I am okaywith it.. You are absolutely wonderful and so helpful. I love your advice. Take care young lady.
There’s so many things that we take for granted in life. This makes me appreciate the ability to shower/ bathe so much more now.
My parents both aputee people.. Used a shower chair for their stablness ,OT helped both with each ADL to keep them Independent. Keeps dignity in place.. now I'm a nurse.. Officially..And between your videos And experience in helping my residents with there mobility issues.. Thank you❤️🥰
Hey Jo!! Just checking in to make sure that you’re taking care of yourself. I know that things have been stressful lately, and if you’re like me, stress can lead to things like not eating properly and withdrawing from the world. I know how devastating it is to lose a beloved furbaby - even what it’s like to lose more than one in rapid succession. And I also know how stressful it is to separate from your partner. It’s none of our business why, and it doesn’t matter in terms of how difficult it is - I was surprised by that when I left an abuser (not to suggest that was your reason!!). I can’t begin to imagine what it must be like to live through both at the same time - death of a loved one, divorce and moving are three of the five most stressful life events. So please, take care of you, so that we can enjoy your presence for years to come!!
Just got My attention of loosing my wife daughter leg in Year
By making these videos, she is actually helping other fellow amputees. Thanks for sharing and God bless!!
The little jump and ta daa at the end 🥰
Thank you for these videos. You exude total confidence. I hope you realize the help you are bringing to fellow amputees or differently abled people.
I get in differently. I put my "fake" leg in over the lip of the of tub & then bring my "real" leg over. Then I sit in my shower seat, then I take my leg off & set it within reaching distance. I do the shower things and then as I sit I dry off. I do take a hand towel and use it to dry the bottom of the tub where my feet will navigate to get out. I put my leg on then my real leg goes over the lap & the fake leg follows. Now I'm out of the tub, leg on & dried off. Ready for clothes.
This is a great comment! I wish Jo might pin it
@@VioletEmerald Thank you.
This sounds safer. With Jo's procedure, I'd be scared the towel might slip on the rim of the tub, leading to a nasty fall.
After 20 years as an amputee you figure some stuff out.
This just sounds warmer to me too. And less physically taxing tbh with the extended sitting hehe. I'm not an amputee, but I personally hate stepping óut of the shower right away. I towel dry still standing inside my tub and only step out when ready to just wrap myself and either do more bathroom things or go to my room to dress. I also really dislike re dressing in a steamy bathroom). I feel like I would maybe struggle with not wanting to reatach my leg in the steady bathroom. Do you find that bothersome? Like, really getting it dry enough inside the br thats all humid now? Do you ever have to take it back off to pat dry more once you leave the bathroom?
I hope it's okay to share my thoughts and ask you those questions , but if for any reason it's not, I don't mean to offend or be a bother
Thanks for sharing!
(And thank you Jo for sharing your method and for even bringing these thoughts into my brain to begin with! Something I've never exactly pondered til now!)
Been watching your videos a lot, and finding them helpful. I have severe osteoarthritis in my left ankle, and I'm planning on amputation to fix it. Thanks again, I've been really nervous/stressed dealing with everything, and your light and humorous approach of explaining helps a lot.
“Obviously I would take my leg off” is all I heard 😃
"Hey, come on! Jump in the pool, it's nice and cool!"
"Bet! Lemme take my leg off real off real quick."
Others say "obviously I would take my clothes off", Jo is "take my leg off". XD
As an amputee myself, I am very pleased you share your life with us!
I had no idea that when I lost my foot that I would be seeing pretty woman in the shower so often on you tube. LOL. my shower routine is just about the same. I like the teakwood shower bench mine is cold plastic. I think I will need to upgrade.
Thank you Jordan.
Jo- I also like the teakwood shower bench. It's making my bench look pitiful. Can you pretty please give us the link so we can upgrade?
@@StephaninasAmputeeAdventures This is a youtube review of the one I use that looks almost identical. It has links for purchase. ruclips.net/video/dQw4w9WgXcQ/видео.html
You have such a positive energy vibe, that runs off on people who know how to appreciate it, this is called turning a negative into a positive. Keep smiling please, it's got a enchanted power of sorts!
my mom is actually the exact same and your videos have been helping her out alot, thank you!
Every video, you just amaze me. Ingenuity and tenacity. Have a great day, Footless Jo!
Thanks for this vid! I've always wondered how amputees did that! I really respect anyone who has to learn to live as an amputee, you guys are superheroes.
That makes sense, do you also have a handheld shower head too? There are showers out there with both a normal shower head and a handheld one, and they can be used together or separately. In my head that seams like something that would be helpful.
Thank you so much for having the inspiration and the courage to share your stories and videos because I am fixing to be a new amputee and completely clueless but after watching every episode I can that you share on RUclips I feel more confident going forward knowing something that someone hasshed some light on some knowledge that I may be able to achieve some goals that I didn’t think were possible so thanks again
Omg I want that shower bench! I only have a little stool at the moment and I’m always scared of it tipping over when I shift my weight
I have the exact same shower bench, akozlin shower bench on Amazon. It's bamboo not teak tho.
@@MissKavaMay
TY🙏✌️🌎
I'm not an amputee, but i so love the message you put out. Thank you!
I've been an amputee for 25yrs and I just stand on one leg in the shower. I've fallen out 3x in my life. When I get old I'll use a shower seat
Below the knee, right?
Honestly Jo, anyone who is a new below-the-knee amputee could watch your channel and learn exactly what to do to get by. These how to videos are extremely helpful and informative. Thank you!
Everyone is different. This set up works for Jo. It wouldn't work for me. js...
Hmm. For increased safety, I'd prefer to add nonslip pads to the bottom of that beautiful bath bench and a couple of grab bars.
Good points. I'm not even an amputee, and stuff like this always trips me out. One mistake, and we're done! Going down stairs and anything slippery-related gain my max attention all the time!
If she doesn't own her own home it can be very difficult or impossible to get landlords to accommodate. Grab bars are awesome, but most people rent. I have them installed all over the house, but I own my own place.
@@Fizzypopization Own your own place, huh? You single? 😄 yeah.... I'll find out if you're male or female later, as that's completely secondary.
@@Fizzypopization I don't understand why landlords don't install grab bars for everyone's safety as a standard. There are nicely decorative ones. But being a renter is why I have a typical bath bench with arm rests and a safety bar that clamps to the sides of the tub. There have been times when I only showered after taking water aerobics classes at the YMCA because I didn't feel as safe at my rented apartment.
I love you so much. You show me what my brother won't tell me about an amputee . Makes me respect him even more.
Need to get one of those sweet tubs with the motorized chair that lifts you up and over.....I want one so bad hahaha
A bath lift? Never heard of one that transfers, or is it something different?
@@Blissfulnessence the one I saw it looked like it was built into the tub. You'd sit in it and hit a button and it lifts you up and over.
@@USFirst1776 Ty. Will look it up.
Your videos are so informative! Thank you for putting yourself out there and sharing with the public.
Did losing your leg make a difference in your diet?
she made a short not to long ago about food. Not really a change in diet but she was more hungry because the rest of her body was doing more work than usual :)
In one of her videos she talks about how losing her leg actually made her eat more than she used to. It's because she is using a lot of enegery to compensate for her missing leg. Super interesting!
Oh right I remember that one
Thanks
Good job demonstrating the technique. You are so talented.
I’m sure it’s still tricky doing this wet.
It’s so slippery when wet.
Yay no more granny chair!
I mean nothing wrong with a granny chair (I know you don't mean anything bad by this just saying) /pos
@@lyrablack8621 True
omg ur color-organized shampoo/conditioners SO AESTHETIC
“Obviously i would take my leg off”
"it's a common thing"
For real though, for her it is an unfortunate daily reality. Can't even imagine. Closest I can find to it is when I broke my back in a car accident few years ago. Literally every normal thing had to be altered.
Thank you for being a teacher! I leaned a lot. RUclips dropping knowledge on me again.
I have my limbs, but I fell in the bathtub a few weeks ago and it is really cool to see how you stay safe. A few accommodations make you big difference
I will never understand how you move so much easier than I do. I'm also able to below the knee amputee I have so many problems balancing moving around with it when it's not on. I applaud your skill.
You are an inspiration not only for people who have lost a part of their body or any kind of handicap, but for everyone else, well done girl!
Girl you go queen you’re so happy even though you could be sad you go girl
I really appreciate your honesty. It gives a new viewpoint.
You're amazing and an inspiration for the others who have the same issues like you physically. 😊 🎉❤
I am a below knee also, what I do is to wash my stump on my shower seat sit on the edge and transfer the seat to the carpet, sit on it and I dry my leg put my leg on then step my prosthetic into a tall kitchen bag seal the top with an ace bandage and I can stand in the shower. Maybe not for everyone but it works great for me.
Love your channel.
As someone with severe balance issues, I would reccommend a grab bar just in case
There's a massive 2 inch difference in the length of my legs and it makes it difficult to stand for an extended time without falling over
Thanks for sharing, Jo, sending positive vibes
Your videos seem like they will help so many people who are going through this since you came out of it a warrior. I'm sure they are helping people now (:
These r always so fascinating to me for no reason whatsoever
I'm a recent amputee and get asked this all the time. Thanks for bringing some awareness. Love your videos. Just seen the lost foot video after losing mine and finding it in the bathtub.
I love your positive energy. Your a great inspiration to others. Thank you for your strength.
Thank you so much for this video I’ve recently fractured my leg and showering can be very dangerous thank you for your helpful tips
I'm not an amputee although I enjoy learning from these videos. I put on a 100% cotton oversized mans tee shirt & I also wrap my head in one before I open the shower curtain. I use another one on the floor to step onto. Most of the year my house is quite chilly. The body & floor ones go into the laundry to be washed & the head/hair one gets dried over the shower curtain rod to use on the floor next time. I'll use a hand towel & wash cloth to dry off with. It adds up to me being warmer in the process & less laundry than full size towels. It's also supposed to be better for hair than drying with a terry towel. ☮️💞🙏
You're just a great teacher. Comfortable to watch and listen to.
i thankyou for these as it helps me understand better the everyday things a amputee has to deal with
Thank you for sharing these things and how you get through your day just like everyone else, but with modifications! I think these everyday things are very interesting and may make someone else uncomfortable to ask. It also makes me realize how much I take for granted in my own life. Whatever it is that may be easier for me to do and I don't have to think about it may be more of a challenge to someone else and require a few more steps!!! You make it look so easy, but I bet you had to practice and come up with your own way of doing things that work best for you! Amazing!!!
Great how too!! I am also a BKA . You need some good hand rails! Too. They will help.! Especially with the tub tube. Great!! Video! I enjoy watching you teach!
Thank you!
Man it really isn't anything over the top but it's another one of those things I'd just never have thought about as an all-original-parts person, thanks a ton for sharing!
I wasn’t watching or listening and I listen for just a sec and you said “I need to take my leg off”
You got me for a minute😰😰
My dad is a amutee and he just stands. I love seeing your videos and telling my dad about them
Love your videos taking the mystery and fear away by normalizing this stuff well done❤
You’re a great brave woman and you are a inspiration
My great grandfather was partial leg amputee and lived with my grandparents … their bathroom had a deck style insert in the tub that has non skid tape on it and a seat belt that was bolted into the splash wall. The deck had an elastic band he could slip his foot into. My grand mother also has sewn him oversized shorts made out of old towels with a drawstring waist and suspenders he could put on before showering so that he could wash those areas while at the same time having a relative amount of modestly. This was way back in the 40s and fifties and my grand parents had first one daughter, then about ten sons, and finally another daughter. …. Eventually they just built a shower room for all the boys in the mudroom that was wheel chair accessible in the house. With that many children in the house washing dished became too much for my grandmother so they built stands for basins to be set in the shower room and the boys would wash the more durable dishes out their while my grandmother and aunts would wash the delicate dishes in the kitchen sink
I wish I'd seen this before breaking my foot! I actually broke the same foot on two separate occasion in almost the exact same spot. Fortunately my parents' bathroom has a walk-in shower (I was living at home) so we were able to get a shower bench and it let me bathe while I couldnt bear weight on my foot. There's so much I didn't realize I was taking for granted before I broke my foot and dealt with mobility issues, and Jo has shown me even more examples. The world is harder for amputees and people with limb differences, as well as for people with mobility issues, and it's something we need to change.
I also had a badly broken foot and the bathtub was really tough. I quickly figured out the towel on the edge of the tub after a fall😢. But getting up off the floor is really difficult. I used the toilet with the seat down with the tub towel on it. My foot took 12 weeks before I could weight bear. And longer with the walking cast and crutches. A long process. Crutches on wet office floors are critically dangerous!! A couple of falls there too.
I love your channel..
ps: though I am not an amputee I do have spastic cp, and I find it good to use a bench for safety reasons
I definitely want that teakwood bench ! I'm also a amputee (A/K Left), and that bench would be a real godsend!
As soon as you are able have your tub converted into a shower. I have both legs, but my collection of back injuries and advanced age make falling a real danger. I had the conversion done last year and it's the BEST decision. The shower enclosure is a whopping 3 inch step over but you can also get one that has none at all! For nearly any disability a shower conversion should be a must-have!
Many of my friends had given up using the bath tub. As an older woman, that is Not a sacrifice I am willing to make. So I made adaptations and I am more aware when in the bath. How you navigate your shower is insightful. As always, I am grateful for your candor and willingness to share. I think I am a more considerate person as a result. All the best. See ya at your next new reel. :~)
Something that could help is possibly some sort of bar in the shower to hang on to. Cause if you did need to stand up for a minute then you can hold on. Also my grandma's bathtub has an area of it at the front that was cut out (professionally and resealed after) to make getting in and out cause my grandma had to get her knee replaced so that could help (anyone who sees this comment can use these tips that could help if you want)
Thank you, this can help another person who's injured, elderly or lost a limb too.
That was a question I had for an amputee I knew many years ago (He was a teacher of the visually impaired I worked with.) but I did not ever feel comfortable asking because I felt that was not my place to ask. Thank you for the education.
Ok I’m not saying that being an amputee would be fun but, saying “below the knee amputee” is so much fun.
Jo, you are such an inspiration.
I'm 68 yrs old and a 52 yr left above knee amputee. I use crutches and step over the tub wall and always shower standing up. We all do things differently
Anyone newer amputee really needs to join your channel. Props
Thank you for this, your videos have been very interesting, it is not that I am unware, but rather there are so many things that never occured to me.
That's the kind of stuff I've never thought about, but as soon as you mentioned it, I realized just how dangerous it could be. Thanks for spreading awareness!
And you get your laundry done at the same time! 😁
Really cool and conservation aware way to work out the problem. 🙃☺️
You seem to like humor like I do. Hope you liked the joke!!!
Thank you for the captions for those of us with Seriously impared hearing! Really appreciate it!
You are wonderfully creative, and an excellent role-model for others....a Hero.
I really appreciate you showing that you use a bench in the shower. I wasn't sure if you would since it can be something that people can make the disabled feel bad about needing. I had one guy freak when he found out I would need a handheld shower head if I stayed over. Can't imagine what my shower chair would have induced
Awesome how organized you are as a person. You are truly amazing 🙏💖💖🙏
Do you ever sleep with the prosthetic on? Or do you have to take it off?? Btw LOVE your vids!!! Keep going!! ❤❤
You are so special so glad that you have the confidence to make these videos God Bless you
Thank you! I just had a below the knee amputation done yesterday. I was wondering how I was going to do that!!!
Not only do we have the same amputation on the same leg but we also have the same shower bench =D I haven't got prosthetic yet, still using a knee crutch but I have been thinking about how I'm going to have to adapt yet again. I appreciate this very much!
Yo if your looking for another cool amputee check out alex1leg
I have a chair and a clamp-on handle that helps me prevent injuries. I have a history of back and nerve pain that gets bad if I hunch or bend over. Now I can wash my legs and get in and out of the shower/bath easily. It doesn't get rid of my drowning phobia/trauma, though..... It takes hours to mentally prepare myself to go in and sometimes I just can't do it.
I also have a floor towel! I have pots so my circulation isnt great especially bare feet on cold tiles (I wear socks all the time like first thing I do in the morning and I take them off right before bed at night) and it is so great. no more purple feet or worrying about blood pooling
Nice balance on one leg. I dry my resid I usl limb while still on the shower bench, put my prosthetic on then transfer out of the tub. ❤ your videos.
My husband has a shower/swim leg that he uses. He loves it, makes it so much easier to shower in!
What about the shower head adjustment? Water at first is usually cold, takes a few moments to get warm, then adjust it at the right level. Is your show head lower level for you?
hi! can I ask where you found that stool? i have trouble not fainting in the shower and im trying to find ways to adapt, that looks like a really helpful tool!
I love that teak bench you have. So much nicer than the plastic shower chairs you get from the healthcare places. Did you get that from a sauna shop or something like that?
@FootlessJo I built my bench as I have a glass door closed in shower/jacuzzi tub, so it’s a tight fit between the wall and the shower doors. Works great. I also thought of a great idea for getting down on the tub to clean between the cracks. I just took a gardening mat/pad and put it down when it’s needed then rinse after I’m done. I found I needed this for two reasons one my left knee is a wuss and doesn’t do well when putting a knee down on any hard surfaces, the other reason is I’m 6’4 and 265 pounds and I got big wide shoulders , plus an extremely messed up back and it a pain in the butt washing one cheek at a time. Just thought this might help you or some of your followers.
I work on cars a ton and I’m always having to get on my knees so I started doing this just for my left knee as my right knee back in the day before I lost my leg I could put it down on concrete, rocks (small gravel ) and it wasn’t river rock it was pointy as heck. But know that I have lost me leg I can’t get down on my right with my prosthetic leg on cause it will cut holes in my sleeves. I wanted a peg socket at first as we just ordered my new leg but my leg guy told me the differences and I was like nope not for me. 😂
Now I’m trying to come up with money for a hydraulic ankle cause my insurance says no to most things like this.
Oh my God your leg is so cool and that prosthetic leg is literally amazing people might think you're weird but I don't you're so cool
I remember when I near ripped my leg off on a road bike I couldn't walk for over a year that time was life changing everything was so hard and still is 12 years later I often ponder on getting my leg chopped off so I enjoy your videos