Our past President and founder of the Toowoomba sub-branch tells the story of how our group began.

On the 11^th of April 2001 I had my right leg amputated below the knee in a farming accident in Central Queensland. My wife Jayne and I had only been married for two weeks and had just returned from our honeymoon with my birthday and Easter approaching we had a lot to look forward to. Well the honeymoon was over!!

Lying in hospital in extreme pain being managed by Morphine, I began to wonder what life would be like for an amputee with many questions that no one seemed to be able to answer. My family organised a visit from Alan Churchward (then State Co-Coordinator of the Amputees and Families Support Group) to answer some of these questions. Although I was a little sceptical at first, I was comforted by the fact a person similar to myself existed, as you do tend to feel alone when such a shock is imposed on your life. Alan was very supportive and answered many questions and also inspired me to have the strength to keep fighting as he had lost both legs in a truck accident 30 years ago and has lead a wonderful life.

Once I was discharged and my rehabilitation commenced I decided to join the Amputees and Families Support Group since it had helped me so much. After moving to Toowoomba to be closer to family and Doctors, I discussed the idea of establishing an Amputee support group on the Downs with Alan and went about doing newspaper and radio interviews to promote the inaugural meeting. Twelve months following my accident the Amputees and Families Support Group Toowoomba Sub-Branch was born and I was elected President, which I found extremely daunting at the time since I was not used to public speaking. My passion for the group and its members and the support they have given me in return have since dismissed any fears I may have had.

The group is now comprised of around 30 wonderful members who all have an inspirational story to tell. The support we have given to one another and new amputees has been amazing with some members dealing with their loss for the first time in many years. We hold monthly meetings and social gatherings including lunches at wineries, BBQ’s, Golf and Ten Pin Bowling. Group members visit new amputees in hospital to answer their questions as well as the group providing mobility aids free of charge, access to free books and videos related to amputees, monthly newsletters and a support fund for those members in desperate need.

The opportunity to return the gift that Alan had given me to other amputees has been most rewarding. The importance of support groups such as ours is constantly highlighted by the ineffective delivery of information to new amputees from Doctors and hospital staff, as understandably they do not comprehend the pain and zest to hear positive news that they can and will still contribute to life. A recent visit to a lady in hospital that had her leg amputated above the knee reconfirmed this theory. The possibility of the patient to walk again on a prosthetic leg was dismissed without really considering the patient’s feelings and not truly understanding the situation or the human spirit. With my own accident I was frequently told you won’t do this and you won’t ever be able to do that but I have achieved my goals and proved these negative specialists wrong. I realise that it is not always the case and it is a tough road but it is possible at times and it is an important time for a new amputee who is clinging to the hope of independence and a reasonably unchanged life. I consider our visit most worthwhile as we can give relevant answers that are realistic as we too have been in that position.

At the group meetings, members are transformed from the minority in society to majority, which is present with any disability group and offers great support to individuals through discussion and the information gained from other members and guest speakers that we have at our general meetings. Some people may consider a support group is not for them and they have coped alright without help. What I say to that is give it a go first to see for yourself how beneficial meeting together can be and what about offering support to others if you think you don’t need it yourself, helping others is the most rewarding action you will ever undertake.

While becoming an amputee is a life changing experience, it is possible to go on to do many of the things you once did. A lot depends on how much you really want to do it and remember anything is possible. I have since began a family, completed a degree in Agribusiness, have developed our small block of land and leased the neighbours to be running some cattle. This has lead me to get back on my back on my horses to muster, which has been most rewarding. Glenn has returned to flying planes and choppers, Lynda has played Badminton among many other things she is involved in. The point to remember is that you don’t have to climb a mountain but simply walking and doing something you think is important is inspirational.