Family spotlight answers..
What’s your name, how old are you? I’m Jen and I’m 30 years old.
Who lives with you and how old are they? My son Charlie lives with me, he’s 9 and we also have my partner Lee stay Sometimes with his daughter who is also called Charlie and she’s 12. Lee is 31 but is the biggest kid out of us all. We have the most fun when we’re all together.
When did you become an amputee? I became an amputee on the 5th February 2018 and it was honestly the best decision I ever made.
Have you got a name for your stump? Just stump or stumpy really, some of my friends kids call me stumpy or Mingo, short for flamingo due to the standing on one foot business.
What was the biggest concern of being an amputee? It used to be the idea of forgetting and attempting to put my missing foot on the floor. I don’t worry so much about that now but I do always tread carefully as the idea of slipping or tripping isn’t fun.
Where you able to work as an amputee? How do you spend your days? I was job hunting as soon as 3 months in, and i went back to work when I was 10 months post op. I started a new job last month that involves standing and walking and I really love it. Most of my days are busy but I always try to have no leg Sunday’s to give my body a rest.
What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome and how did you overcome it? Ooh this a tricky one. Honestly I’d have to say wearing and walking on a prosthetic leg. I love walking on it but the sensation is so bizarre. I definitely still have good and bad walking days and I’ve still got a lot to learn. Those I love fuel me to step up every day.. literally! And my desire to have a life, a mobile active life drives me to get on with it too.
What’s your family’s favourite thing to do? Spending Sunday’s lazing about in pyjamas and having a home cooked roast in the afternoon. We like getting out and exploring too.
Have you got any funny memories that happened since your amputation? While I was at my friends one evening, I’d been sitting on her kitchen side and when I climbed off my whole leg slipped off inside my trousers! It. Was just hanging there and I couldn’t move because I was laughing so hard.
When did you come across steel bones? What does steel bones do for your family? I was lucky enough to come across steel bones early into my journey. My physiotherapist showed me one of their leaflets when I was 4 or 5 weeks post op. Steel bones have supported me in so many ways and made us all feel important and special during everything my amputation put us all through. They also gave me a voice when I was being reassessed by PIP and put me in contact with a local organisation that helped me fill in the forms. Steel bones gave me a voice when I was without a usable limb for weeks. Due to my prosthetic clinic being so over worked I’d been without a usable limb for weeks and was having to wait many more until steel bones stepped in and got my appointment sorted. So far they have spoilt us with a wonderful celebration day, a beautiful Xmas party and a fun family bowling afternoon. Each event has been free fun and full of information. We’ve met some incredible families each time and we can’t wait to see everyone again soon. Knowing and sharing with other amputee families is one of the best things that I’ve ever done and I will be eternally grateful for Emma and Leigh and this amazing community they’ve created.
What would you most like to achieve? My first goal is to obtain a push bike so that I can go out cycling with my partner and children. After that I want to climb something really big or challenging. I’d also like to throw an incredible fundraiser at some point in my life and give something massive back to the people who’ve helped me.
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