While I was mowing the lawn in September 2013, I stepped on a metal landscaping border, which cut through my shoe and sliced my foot to the bone. After losing a long and life-threatening battle with infection, I had a below-knee amputation on March 11, 2015.
I was determined that my amputation would have as little impact on my family as possible, and I hated to be dependent on others all the time. As a result, I began an exercise program, worked hard, and was fitted for my prosthesis two months post-amputation. My doctors were impressed, and I felt that I was finally beginning to get my life back.
Then, in July, I read a Facebook post about Medicare’s proposal to restrict access to prosthetic limbs, which would send prosthetic care back to 1970s standards and would threaten the independence of hundreds of thousands of amputees.
Since I know firsthand how hard amputees have to work to be independent, this issue infuriated me and lit a fire in my heart.
As a result, I decided to join the fight to stop Medicare’s plans. Even though I began with just 45 followers on Twitter, I got busy. I used social media, spoke to everyone I knew, and began a blog to voice my opinion. While I have private insurance that covers my prosthetic care, I have heard many times that Medicare rules influence what private insurance will pay. So, I knew that this was a fight amputees had to win. Most of us need insurance coverage to get the prostheses and supplies we need.
Regardless of Medicare’s decision in this case, the struggle to ensure that amputees get the care we deserve is not over. Threats from Medicare and private insurance will continue. Knowing this, the fire in my heart continues to burn strong, and I plan to continue my advocacy. Amputees and others need to know that people with limb loss are not broken; we may face many challenges, but, as a group, we can stand up together for our rights and make a difference.
Are you with us?
For more information, visit my blog at www.myamplife.com.
Editor’s note: To keep up with issues affecting amputees so that you can make your voice heard, subscribe to Amplitude at www.amplitude-media.com/Subscribe. It’s free.
By Keith Allen
