Amputacje [ang]

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the changes it may mean to your life. It is helpful to remember that depression is a normal reaction if it doesn't grow so big
it overwhelms you or prevents you from seeing that life can still go on and has a bright side. It will help a lot for you to talk
with your rehabilitation specialists and other amputees so you develop a realistic idea of just what your limitations are
likely to be. The actual number of activities important to you which you will not be able to do or will have to substantially
modify may be far less than you think. It may be hard to believe, but things usually do not look quite so bad after some
time has passed, so give yourself a chance to adjust. The more active you are in rehabilitation efforts and in thinking about
and planning for the many alternatives available to you in the future, the faster the "blues" will disappear.
How we feel about ourselves, our "self-concept" or "self-image" continues to develop and change throughout our lives.
It is certainly obvious that a serious event, such as an amputation, can disrupt and make some changes in self-concept.
These changes can be either positive or negative depending on how the person deals with the loss. The self-concept which
emerges after an amputation may include a greater feeling of strength developed in the effort to overcome the losses which
have occurred. On the other hand, some individuals may turn to a dependent lifestyle using amputation as an excuse.
Another aspect of your "self-image" is what the image of your body means to you emotionally. Very "macho" people as
well as those who are highly concerned with the attractiveness of their bodies to the opposite sex tend to have more
problems adjusting if they believe that their image will suffer in the "eyes" of the people they feel a need to impress. Many
people are afraid that they will not be as well respected by their peers and business associates because they are "crippled".
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In fact, a large proportion of relatively young amputees make such good recoveries you can't tell that they have a limb
missing. Many are as active in sports as they were before the amputation. However, the reality is that many people will
react to you differently! Almost everyone does adjust to the new body image. For some the adjustment is slower and more
painful than for others. You and those close to you will have to have the patience, strength, and understanding to adjust to
your new body. An important part of developing a positive self-concept after amputation rests on your ability to adjust
your value system. In other words, try to avoid comparing your current situation with what "used to be". You will probably
make a mistake in your comparison. Following a lower extremity amputation, it requires a good deal more skill to ascend
a set of stairs than it did to run a mile with two normal legs. Recognize the effort you put into your rehabilitation and take
pride in it. The most successfully adjusted people seem to be those who can view their changed capabilities in proper
perspective with more positive events in their lives and have a good sense of humor and attitude about it.
The effects of the previously discussed factors are different for each amputee. Each individual who undergoes an
amputation will deal with it in a unique, personal manner. The amount of actual disability resulting from the loss of a limb
depends upon how well the injured person handles the loss physically and emotionally. For example, research indicates
there is no direct relationship between the extent of physical loss and the individual's emotional difficulties: the difficulties
are more dependent upon the personality (including coping skills) of the individual than the type of amputation. One
person with a "limited" physical loss may have greater adjustment problems than someone with a "major" loss. For help
in reaching an accommodation with your feelings, you may want to read Kushner's book titled "When Bad Things Happen
to Good People". The philosophy behind this book is highly controversial but many people feel that it gives you a basis for
further thinking about your disability in relation to God and fate in general.
In summary, the way you handle your loss emotionally may have as much or more impact in determining how disabled [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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