1. The Amputee Experience
Dr Simon M. Furber
President of the Amputee Association of
Sydney
Lower limb prosthetics course UNSW

2. Thank you! Thank you !! Also please take Hand outs of slide show and on Sexuality and amputees
Lower limb prosthetics course UNSW

3. Introduction A look into the environment of the Amputee
How does it feel?
What are the challenges?
How do they cope?
What services are available?
What lies ahead?
Lower limb prosthetics course UNSW

4. Amputee Write what you feel or think NOW!
Lower limb prosthetics course UNSW

5. Amputee? What did you all say? a gimp spaz ugly tragic freaky handi-
capped
spaz
clunker
tragic
disabled
Wooden legs
ugly
freaky
Lower limb prosthetics course UNSW

6. “YOU HAVE BONE CANCER SO YOU NEED TO HAVE YOUR LEG AMPUTATED ABOVE THE KNEE….”
How would you like to be told?
What do you need now?
What services do you need before the Surgery?
Other issues….?
Lower limb prosthetics course UNSW

7. “your operation was successful ! 2 weeks in Hospital to recover…
What are you feeling now?
Physically and mentally?
What services would you want now?
When will you be ready to go home or to a Rehab facility?
Lower limb prosthetics course UNSW

8. The first 3 months of your life as an Amputee
How are you feeling now?
What are the main challenges you have had to face so far….physical and mental?
What has happened with your “normal” life?
What support do you need now?
What else?
Lower limb prosthetics course UNSW

9. The future. Technological advances. Improved rehab and training
The future.. Technological advances? *Improved rehab and training? *Better funding for amputee services /????? *Society awareness
Lower limb prosthetics course UNSW

10. Where to Get More Information
The Amputee Association of Sydney
The Amputee Coalition of America
Ossur website
Otto Bock website
Regional amputee groups
Medline Plus
An Amputee….talk to one soon!
Lower limb prosthetics course UNSW