Friday, 31 August 2012
Losing a limb, either because of an illness or through an accident, is a devastating experience. However, as many Paralympic competitors are currently demonstrating, it doesn’t have to be the end of a normal or active life.
An ABMU service which helps local patients to have the lifestyle they want following an amputation is based in the Artificial Limb and Appliance Centre (ALAC) at Morriston Hospital. ALAC makes, and maintains, replacement limbs. They can be made to suit a patient’s needs, for example, some want them to look realistically like an arm or leg, whilst others want them adapted to be used for sport.
At the moment, the team currently supports 1,200 patients.
Peter McCarthy, Prosthetics Manager at ALAC, said:
“The service we provide makes a massive difference to the lives of our patients. They are able to have jobs, carry out everyday tasks such as housework or walking the dog, and also take part in sports.
“Some of our patients have been previous Paralympians, and we see many others that enjoy sport. Some run, others play racket sports, cycle, mountain climb, skydive, even race motorbikes and cars.”
One patient who is very active is 21 year old Scott Stevens. He was diagnosed with a cancerous tumour on his ankle aged 13, and chose to have his right leg amputated below the knee to improve his chances of survival.
Now Scott, from Mumbles, is preparing to run the Swansea 10K next month, having already completed the London equivalent earlier this year.
He is currently studying medicine at Bristol University, but once his studies are over, he hopes to turn his attention to short distance running, and has aims to reach the next Paralympics.
Scott said:
“My amputation has given me drive and determination. I appreciate what I have much more, and I see it as an advantage, as it makes me try harder and stick at things which I find tough. The ALAC team are fantastic. They support me in everything I want to do, and do all that they can to help me achieve my goals.”
Pictured: Peter McCarthy, Prosthetics Manager at ALAC, adjusts Scott Stevens’ replacement leg
