Hi Chris...I have struggled with my left knee (cancer in 1992) and after radiation, chemotherapy and three knee replacements followed with a staff infection I had to have it amputated. In late January . It healed quickly and couldn’t wait for my new leg. I finally got it four days ago... I am struggling with it but determined to master it. I am using the walker, working with both my prosthetist and my physical therapist. Your videos are both instructional and inspiring. I can stand on my own but find it hard to imagine how I can ever take a step without my walker but I know I am being entirely premature. I came upon your videos today. I look forward to posting when I am take my first unaided step! Thank you for helping me during this struggle!
Hi Kay, I somehow missed your message back when you posted it, Im so sorry about missing the opportunity to send a response at the time. I hope you are doing well, and life as an amputee is good to you. It really motivates me to get a message like this, I feel blessed to have made a contribution to your journey - thank you. Please let us know how you're progressing, I truly hope your hard work in recovery has rewarded you :-) All the best to you!
Hi Chris I'm a fairly new amputee had mine done Mar. 15/22 . It was the best decision I made I'm in no more pain & ii can walk again! I like what you say in this video & am in total agreement with you. From the day of my amputation & in rehab I was up & walking with my prosthetic within 45 days. I always felt comfortable being in public & have no problem discussing it with people. The only problem I'm having is finding something that grabs my interest & gets me out to meet people.
Hi there, thanks for sharing your experience with us! So great that you're out there engaging your life as an amputee, so openly and confidently. Regarding your last comment, its was really important for me to find an interest I could fully engage in as an amputee. Something to motivate me, provide some purpose, but most important something fun and engaging. Keep searching, with your determination it's sure to happen. All the best with that! BTW, Im starting a live stream to take real time questions on these issues, hope to hear from you when it happens :-)
Hi Chris. Thanks for the video. I find your videos most inspiring. I decided to have my left leg amputated above the knee. I am 66 years old. Had a motorcycle accident about 17 years ago. 3 Different surgeons suggested amputation but I did not want to go that route. Finally an surgeon decided to fix the knee and leg. After 7 operations over a period of 3 years I was able to walk again without any assistance. I recently moved from Gordon's Bay to Secunda in Mpumalanga and build my house without any help. About 7 months ago I fell from a makeshift set of stairs and landed on the bad knee. This again caused me to start using a cane. I completed the building and moved in my house. About 3 months ago I noticed severe swelling to the knee and I thought it is fluid in the knee. Since I do not have a medical aid this was the first time I went to the dr. He diagnosed an abscess and opened it up. Since then the knee is draining constantly and I need to have a plastic sheet with an towel on the bed to keep the linen clean. The pain at some times also become unbearable. I eventually went to an government hospital and the surgeon diagnosed n virus that is eating away the one and flesh around my knee replacement. He said that the prostheses will break out but that they cannot do anything for me in our province, but in the main cities they should be able to help me. The government hospitals outside my province does not want to help me because I am not staying in that province. So after all of this and because I do not want to go through a reversal of the knee replacement, I decided to go ahead and amputate the leg above the knee. I am going to see the dr on the 6th of January 2020 to finalize the date and process. I found your video's most helpful.
Hi Christo, thanks for your message and for all the time you put into the content. I'm really sorry to hear how you have had to repeatedly deal with change and disappointments. Pain and infection are exhausting aspects of this situation we found ourselves in. In hindsight I feel that it held me back for many years, but it's understandable as it was such a life changing experience. Our stories are quite similar in many ways. Like you I also tried everything to save the leg, but in the end I wanted certainty and to get on with my life from a quantifiable base - no more uncertainty. The amputation was the clear way to go, but was still a difficult decision despite the intellectual consideration. In the end I think the most important mindset I established is that I alone was responsible for my happiness and quality of life. Assuming full responsibility for my choices was immensely empowering. Once I had made the final decision it was a relief, the actual procedure became a formality. This helped me to focus on what I needed to do with my realities as an amputee, as opposed to "what if's ...." Thank you for your kind words about the video's, it inspires and motivates me to want to make more of them, more frequently. My thoughts are with you between now and the 6th, and whatever follows thereafter. I hope that you have the support to share the experience with another - I have learnt that this is a crucial part of the healing. All the best Christo, please keep in touch and let us know how you are doing. Much care and support :-)
Hey Chris, I am so glad that I found your channel completely by accident, I am a new left AK amputee 23/01/23. My stump is still in the healing process, having the last of my clips removed next week. Then it is onto consulting with the prothesitis about the next steps in becoming more mobile again, I am also considering the Ossúr brand as that looks like the better and more user friendly option available to South Africans. I am slowly watching all of your videos to learn more about everything that I need to know, thanks for making them.
Hi! Thanks for your comment and the kind words. I see that your loss is very recent, I hope that you're managing OK and making progress in the healing and recovery. Regarding your observations on Ossur, I have been very fortunate to have gotten to know the Ossur brand, the team and the support they provide. I have used other brands, some of them very good prosthetics, but the total support and solution form Ossur is simply a mile above the rest. I feel understood, supported, and seen by them in a way that makes this relationship quite special and personal, which is so crucial for us as amputees. I want to encourage you to attend one of their Mobility Clinics in your area (where do you live in SA? I can point you in the right direction). You will meet other amputees with a positive approach, and get the support to make good decisions based on their experience and knowledge. People who attend range from recent amputees to ones who have been around for years. It's informative, and fun, and can spare you years of struggling to find what you need. It's quite likely that we'll meet there :-) Thanks for watching the video's, and I hope to see you coming Sunday 5th Match at 6pm SA time for our live streaming event on the channel. (Ill sending out notifications with the link to the event, so be sure to set your notification bell) All the best, and thanks again for the message from a fellow South African!
@@theampedlife Thanks for the reply, I am doing alot better than before the operation, I stay in the east of Pretoria, and my prostetic clinic "not sure if this is the correct term" is in Centurion. I'll would like to watch the live, I have already clicked the bell settings for all notifications from your channel. I hope you have a great day.
@@emilebernardoosthuiz Nice to hear back from you, thanks. And good to hear things are progressing well. Ossur does do a mobility clinic in Pretoria, if you're keen to attend (it's free of course) I can send them your details, only if you're ok with that. My website link is on the channel page - or you can use chris@theampedlife.co.za Look forward to seeing you on Sunday! You have a great day too :-) and take care.
Great as always Chris to see you posting such informative videos. Again, invaluable information and positive advice. Congratulations on reaching your goal for subscribers. Next year you'll beat that number hands down! Look forward to seeing you by the sea, gives us all so much inspiration to get out there and do the same....Happy Days! xx
Hi Wynn! Thanks for saying hi - as always! Yes looking forward to some sun, ocean, and just chilling. I hope to share with you guys ... Have a wonderful festive season, and looking forward to many more chats in 2020 :-)
Hi, Chris! As always, you are so spot-on with your suggestions and comments. I've bee an amputee for 14 months (right BKA after an accident) I'm putting together a program to take other amputees sailing on my small yacht here in Maine. In fact I started this summer with another amputee, taught him the rudiments of sailing and we are planning to continue next year, hopefully with more participants. From your other videos, I know that you travel to the U.S. often and would like to invite you to come sailing with us in 2023, maybe you could even do a video for your channel! I don't want to post my phone or email on a public channel, but if you would like to contact me somehow, that is, if you are interested. Hope to hear from you. Ruy
Hi Ruy, thanks for your kind words and incredible generous offer, I really appreciate you reaching out to connect some time. I do love the States, and hope to return some time soon. If this happens, and I can travel to the Maine are I would absolutely love the opportunity to meet, sail, and do a video. My website link is in the banner, please feel free to drop me a mail, I will certainly respond and we can keep in touch that way. Thanks for being so open and trusting, I hope we get to meet some time mate!
Gill Nicholls hi Gill, thanks and your message motivates me to make more video’s. Hope you come back for more ☀️and please continue share your thoughts.
Hi Chris, great to see a new video from you! If there is one thing I would have wanted was to get into a prosthetic leg much faster, I had to wait 4 1/2 years for mine. Would have made a very big difference to my life! Very informative and useful information, thank you. I would love it if you could make a video of an amputee's rights when traveling far or abroad like you recently did to the USA, that will be very useful? Waiting on your'e next one and Mary Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Hi Otto, I can always rely on a comment from you - thanks!! Its so unbelievable that you had to wait for so long, I'm sorry to hear this. It makes me grateful for what I experienced and I thank you for the reminder :-) OK!! Here is my commitment to make a video on travel as an amputee. I had learnt so much in the past few months. Just to give you an idea - in 53 hours I flew from Moab to Denver to San Antonio to Minneapolis to Amsterdam to Cape Town!! I look forward to sharing rights, tips and suggestions with you guys. A very happy Christmas to you, and wish you a good, healthy 2020!
Hi Chris. Thank you for this video. I could identify with all your points. Some I have done and others I need to get going with now that I have my prosthetic. Very relative information. I look forward to your next video. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Enjoy your trip to the sea.
Hi Geraldine, thanks so much for all your messages, I really appreciate your contributions. I hope that things are OK with the prosthetic? Please keep us posted, there is always something someone else will identify with. Thanks for the wishes, I wish same for you and a really good year in 2020 with all the new challenges and opportunities :-)
powerlesscarina that’s so cool! Thanks for becoming a part of our channel and please keep on sending your thoughts, I really appreciate your contribution here ☀️
@@powerlesscarina578 Hi, thanks for your message and supportive words. Im stoked that you enjoy the video's, please let me know if there is any topic you think I should talk about :-)
Hi Victoria, great that he eventually overcame his fear, I hope is is feeling more comfortable and embraced the changes his body has gone through. It's a struggle for many of us but with acceptance came freedom from fear of judgement.
@@theampedlife thank you Chris! You are an inspiration for him....and me! You really help lots of people worldwide. Remember that in times of discouragement, please!
![Seungmin "그렇게, 천천히, 우리(As we are)" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kAzmhLHePqU/mqdefault.jpg)
Hi Chris...I have struggled with my left knee (cancer in 1992) and after radiation, chemotherapy and three knee replacements followed with a staff infection I had to have it amputated. In late January . It healed quickly and couldn’t wait for my new leg. I finally got it four days ago... I am struggling with it but determined to master it. I am using the walker, working with both my prosthetist and my physical therapist. Your videos are both instructional and inspiring. I can stand on my own but find it hard to imagine how I can ever take a step without my walker but I know I am being entirely premature. I came upon your videos today. I look forward to posting when I am take my first unaided step! Thank you for helping me during this struggle!
Hi Kay, I somehow missed your message back when you posted it, Im so sorry about missing the opportunity to send a response at the time.
I hope you are doing well, and life as an amputee is good to you.
It really motivates me to get a message like this, I feel blessed to have made a contribution to your journey - thank you.
Please let us know how you're progressing, I truly hope your hard work in recovery has rewarded you :-) All the best to you!
Hi Chris I'm a fairly new amputee had mine done Mar. 15/22 . It was the best decision I made I'm in no more pain & ii can walk again! I like what you say in this video & am in total agreement with you. From the day of my amputation & in rehab I was up & walking with my prosthetic within 45 days. I always felt comfortable being in public & have no problem discussing it with people. The only problem I'm having is finding something that grabs my interest & gets me out to meet people.
Hi there, thanks for sharing your experience with us! So great that you're out there engaging your life as an amputee, so openly and confidently.
Regarding your last comment, its was really important for me to find an interest I could fully engage in as an amputee. Something to motivate me, provide some purpose, but most important something fun and engaging. Keep searching, with your determination it's sure to happen. All the best with that!
BTW, Im starting a live stream to take real time questions on these issues, hope to hear from you when it happens :-)
Hi Chris. Thanks for the video. I find your videos most inspiring. I decided to have my left leg amputated above the knee. I am 66 years old. Had a motorcycle accident about 17 years ago. 3 Different surgeons suggested amputation but I did not want to go that route. Finally an surgeon decided to fix the knee and leg.
After 7 operations over a period of 3 years I was able to walk again without any assistance. I recently moved from Gordon's Bay to Secunda in Mpumalanga and build my house without any help. About 7 months ago I fell from a makeshift set of stairs and landed on the bad knee. This again caused me to start using a cane. I completed the building and moved in my house. About 3 months ago I noticed severe swelling to the knee and I thought it is fluid in the knee. Since I do not have a medical aid this was the first time I went to the dr. He diagnosed an abscess and opened it up. Since then the knee is draining constantly and I need to have a plastic sheet with an towel on the bed to keep the linen clean. The pain at some times also become unbearable. I eventually went to an government hospital and the surgeon diagnosed n virus that is eating away the one and flesh around my knee replacement. He said that the prostheses will break out but that they cannot do anything for me in our province, but in the main cities they should be able to help me. The government hospitals outside my province does not want to help me because I am not staying in that province. So after all of this and because I do not want to go through a reversal of the knee replacement, I decided to go ahead and amputate the leg above the knee. I am going to see the dr on the 6th of January 2020 to finalize the date and process. I found your video's most helpful.
Hi Christo, thanks for your message and for all the time you put into the content.
I'm really sorry to hear how you have had to repeatedly deal with change and disappointments. Pain and infection are exhausting aspects of this situation we found ourselves in. In hindsight I feel that it held me back for many years, but it's understandable as it was such a life changing experience.
Our stories are quite similar in many ways. Like you I also tried everything to save the leg, but in the end I wanted certainty and to get on with my life from a quantifiable base - no more uncertainty. The amputation was the clear way to go, but was still a difficult decision despite the intellectual consideration. In the end I think the most important mindset I established is that I alone was responsible for my happiness and quality of life. Assuming full responsibility for my choices was immensely empowering. Once I had made the final decision it was a relief, the actual procedure became a formality. This helped me to focus on what I needed to do with my realities as an amputee, as opposed to "what if's ...."
Thank you for your kind words about the video's, it inspires and motivates me to want to make more of them, more frequently.
My thoughts are with you between now and the 6th, and whatever follows thereafter. I hope that you have the support to share the experience with another - I have learnt that this is a crucial part of the healing.
All the best Christo, please keep in touch and let us know how you are doing.
Much care and support :-)
A topic I considered covering. Maybe my vid will be 30 seconds, just to recomend yours. Excellent as always.
Thanks mate, and for making me smile with your comment!
Hey Chris, I am so glad that I found your channel completely by accident, I am a new left AK amputee 23/01/23. My stump is still in the healing process, having the last of my clips removed next week.
Then it is onto consulting with the prothesitis about the next steps in becoming more mobile again, I am also considering the Ossúr brand as that looks like the better and more user friendly option available to South Africans.
I am slowly watching all of your videos to learn more about everything that I need to know, thanks for making them.
Hi! Thanks for your comment and the kind words. I see that your loss is very recent, I hope that you're managing OK and making progress in the healing and recovery.
Regarding your observations on Ossur, I have been very fortunate to have gotten to know the Ossur brand, the team and the support they provide. I have used other brands, some of them very good prosthetics, but the total support and solution form Ossur is simply a mile above the rest. I feel understood, supported, and seen by them in a way that makes this relationship quite special and personal, which is so crucial for us as amputees.
I want to encourage you to attend one of their Mobility Clinics in your area (where do you live in SA? I can point you in the right direction). You will meet other amputees with a positive approach, and get the support to make good decisions based on their experience and knowledge. People who attend range from recent amputees to ones who have been around for years. It's informative, and fun, and can spare you years of struggling to find what you need. It's quite likely that we'll meet there :-)
Thanks for watching the video's, and I hope to see you coming Sunday 5th Match at 6pm SA time for our live streaming event on the channel. (Ill sending out notifications with the link to the event, so be sure to set your notification bell)
All the best, and thanks again for the message from a fellow South African!
@@theampedlife Thanks for the reply, I am doing alot better than before the operation, I stay in the east of Pretoria, and my prostetic clinic "not sure if this is the correct term" is in Centurion.
I'll would like to watch the live, I have already clicked the bell settings for all notifications from your channel. I hope you have a great day.
@@emilebernardoosthuiz Nice to hear back from you, thanks. And good to hear things are progressing well.
Ossur does do a mobility clinic in Pretoria, if you're keen to attend (it's free of course) I can send them your details, only if you're ok with that. My website link is on the channel page - or you can use chris@theampedlife.co.za
Look forward to seeing you on Sunday! You have a great day too :-) and take care.
Always inspired. 🥰🥰
Great as always Chris to see you posting such informative videos. Again, invaluable information and positive advice. Congratulations on reaching your goal for subscribers. Next year you'll beat that number hands down! Look forward to seeing you by the sea, gives us all so much inspiration to get out there and do the same....Happy Days! xx
Hi Wynn! Thanks for saying hi - as always! Yes looking forward to some sun, ocean, and just chilling. I hope to share with you guys ...
Have a wonderful festive season, and looking forward to many more chats in 2020 :-)
Hi, Chris! As always, you are so spot-on with your suggestions and comments. I've bee an amputee for 14 months (right BKA after an accident) I'm putting together a program to take other amputees sailing on my small yacht here in Maine. In fact I started this summer with another amputee, taught him the rudiments of sailing and we are planning to continue next year, hopefully with more participants. From your other videos, I know that you travel to the U.S. often and would like to invite you to come sailing with us in 2023, maybe you could even do a video for your channel! I don't want to post my phone or email on a public channel, but if you would like to contact me somehow, that is, if you are interested. Hope to hear from you. Ruy
Hi Ruy, thanks for your kind words and incredible generous offer, I really appreciate you reaching out to connect some time.
I do love the States, and hope to return some time soon. If this happens, and I can travel to the Maine are I would absolutely love the opportunity to meet, sail, and do a video. My website link is in the banner, please feel free to drop me a mail, I will certainly respond and we can keep in touch that way.
Thanks for being so open and trusting, I hope we get to meet some time mate!
Thankyou so much xxxxx god bless you.xxxx
Gill Nicholls hi Gill, thanks and your message motivates me to make more video’s. Hope you come back for more ☀️and please continue share your thoughts.
Hi Chris, great to see a new video from you! If there is one thing I would have wanted was to get into a prosthetic leg much faster, I had to wait 4 1/2 years for mine. Would have made a very big difference to my life! Very informative and useful information, thank you. I would love it if you could make a video of an amputee's rights when traveling far or abroad like you recently did to the USA, that will be very useful? Waiting on your'e next one and Mary Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Hi Otto, I can always rely on a comment from you - thanks!!
Its so unbelievable that you had to wait for so long, I'm sorry to hear this. It makes me grateful for what I experienced and I thank you for the reminder :-)
OK!! Here is my commitment to make a video on travel as an amputee. I had learnt so much in the past few months. Just to give you an idea - in 53 hours I flew from Moab to Denver to San Antonio to Minneapolis to Amsterdam to Cape Town!! I look forward to sharing rights, tips and suggestions with you guys.
A very happy Christmas to you, and wish you a good, healthy 2020!
Chris, maybe a video on skin problems we may not notice, possible infections, preventative care?
Hi, I have done something on this topic before, but perhaps time for an update! Thanks for posting your suggestions ☀️
Hi Chris. Thank you for this video. I could identify with all your points. Some I have done and others I need to get going with now that I have my prosthetic. Very relative information.
I look forward to your next video.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Enjoy your trip to the sea.
Hi Geraldine, thanks so much for all your messages, I really appreciate your contributions. I hope that things are OK with the prosthetic? Please keep us posted, there is always something someone else will identify with.
Thanks for the wishes, I wish same for you and a really good year in 2020 with all the new challenges and opportunities :-)
God bless.xxxx
Thanks Gill, that is really kind of you - and God's blessing there too :-)
I’m not even considering an amputation and I loved it😊😊
Thanks for your kind words, I'm really curious to hear what brought you to this video..?
I appreciate your comments :-)
The Amped Life with Chris I watch Footless Jo and your videos always pop up in my recommended so I subscribed and I love your videos since
powerlesscarina that’s so cool! Thanks for becoming a part of our channel and please keep on sending your thoughts, I really appreciate your contribution here ☀️
@@powerlesscarina578 Hi, thanks for your message and supportive words. Im stoked that you enjoy the video's, please let me know if there is any topic you think I should talk about :-)
Sadly, it took my husband 48 years to overcome his fear of wearing shorts......
Hi Victoria, great that he eventually overcame his fear, I hope is is feeling more comfortable and embraced the changes his body has gone through. It's a struggle for many of us but with acceptance came freedom from fear of judgement.
@@theampedlife thank you Chris! You are an inspiration for him....and me! You really help lots of people worldwide. Remember that in times of discouragement, please!
what caused your amputation?
He had a Paragliding accident
Hi, as Olga kindly commented, it was a paragliding accident many years ago.
Thanks for your interest!