I lost My left leg above the knee in 1993. I can't use a peg leg, It slows Me down to much, 1994 We bought a 5er with nothing to aid an amputee. I learned to do all my own set ups & tear downs in the drive way of our home with in a few days. After that we took off. Most times, when we would pull into a camp site people would see me get out of the truck on crutches & come running to help. I would thank them & invite them to watch me. It a little difficult at times but life has NOT come to an end just because a leg did.
DON"T give up!!! At times you have to sit & say, this is how I used to do it, Now this is how I have to do it.
While I am not an amputee, I just want to thank you for your inspiration to the original poster as well as to others who have disabilities. I know you probably don't consider yourselves to be heros, but the fact that you can encourage others facing such an ordeal is truly inspirational.
Safe travels,
Dale
Dale Pace
Wife to Terry (Teacher's Pet)
Mom to 2 rescued Scotties
Bailey and Neal
2006 Tiffin Phaeton 40' QSH, 4 slides (Phaeton Place)
2003 Sport Trac Toad
Fulltiming since retiring in 2005
I am a BTK right leg amputee for about 2 years. I originally checked into driving controls (left foot gas petal or hand controls) but it turns out I don't need them with my prosthetic. I get a pretty good "feel" for the gas petal by movement of the vehicle. Some times I get a quick jerk start but mostly when my leg is loose and needs shimmed up. In Ohio the hand controls are close to $1000 plus you need a hand control endorsement on your driver's license that requires you to take about $300 worth of driver training. I put a small plastic chair in the camper tub to bathe or take the chair to the campground bath house. I either put on my prosthetic or use crutches for a night time bathroom run.
2001 Salem 27BH by Forest River w/Barker 3000
2003 Dodge Ram 1500 HEMI 5 speed auto 3.92s Quad Cab 4X4
Thanks all for the great replies and answers. It's truly nice to realize that no matter what happens with me physically there is someone else out there that has gone through the same thing before and can offer advice or help. Plus after reading these posts and posts at other forums I realize that no matter how bad I think things are for me, there is always someone else worse off that makes my problems seem trivial in comparison.
I went in for my pressure test yesterday. They placed a pressure cuff on both ankles and both arms. Then with a doppler ran the pressures up till the flow cut off and marked that pressure in all four limbs. Then they got out these really small cuffs and put them on my big toes. I'd had the cuffs on the limbs before but these big toe cuffs were a little strange.lol The nurse running the test said they were the same cuffs used by veterinarians for cats. Anyway...it was a great relief to hear the flow moving in my bad leg. It's weak but it's there and that means the world to me. Once the flow stops, the leg goes.
Now I wait for my primary care physician (remember I'm a 100% disabled veteran) to get the results and call me with answers. Hopefully it will be good news.
Racefan,
Been there, done that. When I applied for my Social security disability they sent me a letter requiring me to show up at a local hospital for this test. I must have got the deluxe version because I had 3 cuffs on each leg (pre amputee). As I recall the upper leg cuff was quite painfull at full pressure. I complained to the tech who said it wasn't that bad. I asked her if she had ever taken the test as part of her training and she said "No way, are you kidding, I would never take this test". I guess the good news was that I must have flunked because my disability went through. That is good news.......right?
I understand how overwhelming the thoughts of limb loss are right now. It's quite natural to experience a sense of grief. It's so much easier now with the internet to find answers to the many questions you have.
Here's just a few URL Links that might be helpful in dealing with issues regarding RV'ing:
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/rv/RVing-With-Physical-Challenges.htm
http://www.travelconsumer.com/rv.htm
http://www.myprimeyears.com/rv/r_disabledrv.htm
I've been full-time RV'ing now for nearly three years. I do it alone, am a RAE (right above-elbow) amputee, and have limited use of both legs and back. I can't wear a prosthesis, lack of residual limb. Mine came up as a result of trauma and there wasn't time or resources available then to develop a plan. I think you'll find that the focus of your adjustment will be finding a board certified CPO who will provide you with the best prosthetic device that fits your individual lifestyle.
An excellent source of information is the ACA:
http://www.amputee-coalition.org/
Please feel welcome to contact me if I can be of any assistance.
Thought of you today when I was in a privately owned/operated drug store...they had 'portable grab bars' which have levers to operate the suction cups. Primarily for use in showers/baths, thought it could be used on the smooth side of a travel trailer/motor home - as needed. It's only about 10" long, and runs about $30.
My wife lost her right leg below the knee two years ago due to diabetes and of course wears a prothesis. I am going to make some commments/recommendations about the bath/bedroom area for your consideration if you upgrade your trailer. We had a 2000 Cardinal 32CKT which we loved but it had a garden tub which did not have a large enough floor area in the shower for a handicap bench and the entrance door was narrow along with a 12" or so height to get into the shower. In addition the whole bath area was carpeted and our unit was the typical layout with the bed in a slideout but was on another 8" rise above the bathroom floor. Just didn't work. We just took delivery of a 2008 Cardinal 34QS. First, we ordered a standard shower which has enough room for a handicap bench, has a larger entrance door, and only about a 3" rise to get in. Second, in this new unit the bath/bedroom is all on one level and the floor covering over to within a few inches of the bed is vinyl. Third we bought a small exam stool on casters like you find in a doctor's office. Now she can sit on the side of the bed, remove her prothesis, slip onto the exam stool and easily roll herself to the shower door and slide off onto the shower bench. Of course she just reverses the proceedure when done and finishes dressing for bed. We have a small comode that sits against the bed for her nighttime use. During the day we store the comode and exam stool in the front full width closet. When I shower I just temporarily set the bench out of the shower. Of course I have installed an extra grab bar in the shower and at the stairs down to the main level to assist getting up and down. The best of luck and you are looking ahead. That's great because life is too short to quit doing what you love.
Don
2008 Ford Super Duty F350 XLT CC 4x4, LB SRW, V10, TorqShift Auto, 4.30 LS, Tow Command, Loaded
2008 Cardinal 34QS
Rick, I've had the multiple blood pressure cuff tests on my legs, too. So far, so good, for me. I have severe diabetic neuropathy, but the blood pressure in my legs is still good. I have many of the concerns that you do, but I'm not as far along, I guess. Hang in there. Sounds like you've gotten a lot of good information, and best of all, good news. Hope the future tests are all good.
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