Helping veterans with life after losing a limb is the focus of a longtime program at the VA Augusta Health Care System.
“Just because they have an amputation it doesn’t mean life has to stop. They can keep doing the things they like to do; maybe they just have to do it in a different way,” said recreational therapist, Rebecca Halioua.
Healing begins in the hospital. After an amputation, people not only have to heal physically, but emotional and mental healing also has to occur.
“People go through those grieving stages,” said physical therapist Melanie Rahn.
During hospitalization, there are wellness support groups. And a peer visitor program ensures that amputees don’t go through the process alone. Visitors can be partnered according to service branch, similar amputation or gender.
In April, four new peer visitors completed training through the Amputee Coalition of America and can provide support in both VA and civilian hospitals, she said.
Support doesn’t end once they leave the hospital.
Read More: Amputee brings home gold medal in VA wheelchair games
They may need more information on living with a prosthetic or learning to maneuver with the challenges associated with limb loss. Amputees can take part in a regular support group the third Thursday of each month at the VA, and there are special events like a recent amputee awareness event where veterans participated in rock-wall climbing, cycling and art.
“A lot of it is getting them to reengage with the community, engage with each other and creating a community,” Rahn said.
And sometimes, “they reach out to each other and give each other some tough love,” she said.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years and is a Georgia Press Association award winner. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
