Tsunami amputees

Tsunami amputees

In reference to an article on Jan. 18, as a one-legged man
myself I can confirm that limb amputation is the most traumatic
experience a person can have, but I would like to reassure those
unfortunate victims of the tsunami that new life and hope is
possible with artificial limbs.

The pain of amputation is extreme for the first month, even
given reasonable doses of morphine. In the second month
wheelchairs are most desirable and crutches necessary. By the end
of the third month a prosthesis can be made and the scary first
walk is taught. This is the time when skillful disability center
people perform their craft.

Unfortunately there does not seem to be such a center in
either Medan or Banda Aceh. No doubt both places will establish
temporary facilities within the coming weeks, and hopefully make
them permanent for the long-term needs of the many amputees of
the tsunami.

Oxfam springs to mind to provide continued support until the
government takes over.

If the above is so, I would very much like to help one
of these centers.

Perhaps the comments in this letter can be passed on to the
suffering to give them some hope and reassurance about their
future. They will join a special club of special people who do
all sorts of things in due course of time, including cycling,
swimming, soccer, climbing ladders and much more.

The younger the better as regards to coping, but of
course patience is the main factor as it takes perhaps
two years to fully stabilize.

DAVID WALLIS, Norwich, UK